Budget 2024-25: Health ministry receives ₹90,958.63 crore allocation.
In the Union Budget 2024-25, the health ministry has been allocated ₹90,958.63 crore. Out of this, ₹87,656.90 crore has been designated for the Department of Health and Family Welfare, while ₹3,301.73 crore has been allocated to the Department of Health Research. This substantial allocation underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare services and research in the country. The funding is aimed at improving public health infrastructure, expanding healthcare services, and advancing medical research to address various health challenges and improve the overall well-being of the population.
New Delhi: The Union health ministry has been allocated ₹90,958.63 crore in the 2024-2025 budget, marking an increase of 12.96 percent over the ₹80,517.62 crore allocated in the revised estimates for 2023-24. This substantial increase underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare services and infrastructure in the country.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the budget in Parliament, emphasized the importance of supporting cancer treatment and other healthcare needs. The government announced Customs duty exemptions on three cancer treatment drugs — Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Osimertinib, and Durvalumab.
The budget allocation for the AYUSH Ministry has also seen a significant increase, rising from ₹3,000 crore to ₹3,712.49 crore. This increase highlights the government’s focus on promoting traditional systems of medicine alongside modern healthcare.
Out of the total allocation of ₹90,958.63 crore, ₹87,656.90 crore has been designated for the Department of Health and Family Welfare, and ₹3,301.73 crore has been allocated to the Department of Health Research. The budget allocation for schemes under the Department of Health and Family Welfare has been increased from ₹77,624.79 crore to ₹87,656.90 crore, reflecting a substantial investment in public health initiatives.
Among the centrally sponsored schemes, the budget allocation for the National Health Mission (NHM) has been increased from ₹31,550.87 crore in 2023-24 to ₹36,000 crore in 2024-25. The NHM aims to strengthen healthcare delivery systems across the country, particularly in rural and underserved areas, ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare services.
The allocation for the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) has been increased from ₹6,800 crore to ₹7,300 crore. PM-JAY, also known as Ayushman Bharat, is a flagship health insurance scheme that provides financial protection to vulnerable families against catastrophic healthcare expenditure. The increased allocation will enable the scheme to cover more beneficiaries and enhance the scope of services provided.
The National Tele Mental Health Programme, which aims to improve access to mental health services through telemedicine, has received an increased allocation of ₹90 crore, up from ₹65 crore. This boost in funding reflects the growing recognition of mental health as a critical component of overall health and well-being.
The allocation for the National Digital Health Mission remains unchanged at ₹200 crore. This mission aims to create a robust digital health ecosystem that leverages technology to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency of healthcare delivery.
The budget allocation for autonomous bodies under the health ministry has been increased from ₹17,250.90 crore in 2023-24 to ₹18,013.62 crore in 2024-25. Among these bodies, the allocation for the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi has been increased from ₹4,278 crore to ₹4,523 crore. AIIMS is a premier medical institution in India, and the increased funding will support its efforts to provide high-quality medical education, research, and patient care.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also received an increased allocation, from ₹2,295.12 crore to ₹2,732.13 crore.The additional funding will enable ICMR to expand its research initiatives and address emerging health challenges more effectively.
The government’s focus on healthcare in the 2024-25 budget extends beyond funding allocations to policy initiatives aimed at improving healthcare delivery and access. The Customs duty exemptions on cancer treatment drugs and changes in the BCD on X-Ray tubes and flat panel detectors are part of a broader strategy to make healthcare more affordable and accessible to the population.
The increased allocation for the AYUSH Ministry underscores the government’s commitment to integrating traditional systems of medicine with modern healthcare practices. This holistic approach aims to provide a comprehensive healthcare system that caters to the diverse needs of the population.
The overall increase in the health ministry’s budget allocation is expected to have a significant impact on the healthcare sector in India. By investing in infrastructure, research, and public health initiatives, the government aims to improve health outcomes and ensure that quality healthcare services are accessible to all citizens.
The focus on centrally sponsored schemes like the National Health Mission and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana reflects the government’s commitment to addressing the healthcare needs of the most vulnerable sections of society. By increasing funding for these schemes, the government aims to strengthen healthcare delivery systems and provide financial protection to those in need.
The increased allocation for the National Tele Mental Health Programme highlights the importance of mental health and the role of technology in improving access to mental health services. This initiative is expected to make mental health services more accessible, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
In conclusion, the Union Budget for 2024-25 demonstrates a strong commitment to improving healthcare in India. The increased allocations for the health ministry, along with policy initiatives to make healthcare more affordable and accessible, reflect the government’s focus on enhancing the overall health and well-being of the population. By investing in infrastructure, research, and public health initiatives, the government aims to create a robust healthcare system that caters to the diverse needs of the population and ensures equitable access to quality healthcare services.