TL;DR: The 2025-26 Union Budget, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, brings both promising initiatives and notable oversights in India's health sector. While there's a boost in medical seats and customs duty exemptions on rare disease medicines, concerns arise over reduced allocations for mental health programs and underutilization of previous funds.
Medical Seats: More Doctors in the Making? 🩺📚
The government plans to add 10,000 more undergraduate and postgraduate medical seats this year, aiming for a total of 75,000 new seats over five years. However, the Economic Survey 2024-25 warns about declining standards in medical education, citing issues like faculty shortages and low patient loads. Simply increasing seats without addressing these core problems might not yield the desired results.
Mental Health: A Cry for Attention 🧠💔
Despite the Economic Survey emphasizing mental health, the budget allocation tells a different story. The National Tele Mental Health Programme, a 24×7 counseling service, faces a 16% budget cut. Similarly, the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS) sees a 4.5% reduction. This is concerning, given the rising mental health challenges among India's youth.
Rare Disease Medicines: A Small Relief 💊🧬
The budget exempts 36 medicines for rare diseases from a 10% customs duty. While this seems beneficial, patients like Purva Mital, suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy, highlight that a 10% discount on drugs costing ₹72 lakh annually offers minimal relief. The real issue is the exorbitant prices, making these medicines inaccessible to many.
Underutilized Funds: A Persistent Problem 💸❌
The Union health ministry left over ₹8,550 crore unspent in the last financial year, the highest in recent times. This unutilized amount surpasses the establishment cost of new AIIMS institutions. Such underutilization raises questions about the efficiency of fund allocation and the government's commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure.
Conclusion: A Mixed Prescription for India's Health 🏥⚖️
While the budget introduces commendable initiatives, the reductions in critical areas and underutilization of funds highlight the need for a more comprehensive approach. Addressing systemic issues, ensuring efficient fund usage, and prioritizing mental health are essential steps toward a healthier India.
