A Green Signal for India to Assert its Health Leadership

Explore how India is poised to assert its health leadership with sustainable policies, innovative healthcare solutions, and global collaborations for a greener, healthier future.

Table of Contents

Context: The Union Budget 2025-26 aims to position India as a leader in global healthcare and innovation through strategic initiatives.

Key Budget Allocations and Announcements for Healthcare

Total Healthcare Budget: ₹90,958 crore.
Medical Education Expansion:
- 75,000 new medical seats to be added in the next five years.
- 10,000 seats to be added in FY26 alone.
Cancer Care Investment: 200 new day-care cancer centres in district hospitals.
“Heal in India”: Positioning India as a global healthcare destination with:
- Streamlined visa processes for medical tourists.
- Upgraded hospital infrastructure to attract foreign patients.
- Public-private partnerships to improve healthcare services.
“Heal by India”: Addressing the global shortage of healthcare professionals by:
- Training and deploying doctors, nurses, and paramedics
- Creating new opportunities for Indian healthcare workers globally.
Customs Duty Exemptions for Life-Saving Drugs: 36 life-saving drugs for cancer, rare diseases, and chronic conditions are exempted from customs duty.
- Impact: Lower treatment costs benefiting thousands of patients.
Enhanced Access to Critical Medications: 13 new patient assistance programmes launched for chronic disease patients.
Advancing Medical Innovation: National Centres of Excellence to drive research in AI, diagnostics, and treatment.
- Use of Artificial Intelligence for early disease detection and patient care improvement.
- Apollo Hospitals was the first in Asia to launch Proton Therapy for cancer care, attracting patients from countries like Australia and the United Kingdom.

Vision for the Future: Strengthening India’s Global Role

The budget recognizes healthcare as a pillar of national development.
India’s transition from a struggling healthcare system to a global medical hub.
“Heal in India” and “Heal by India” to set global benchmarks in healthcare.