With regard to the healthcare sector, the government appears to have recognised the need to address critical shortages of qualified doctors and medical staff and announced setup of more AIIMS, government medical colleges and institute for higher dental studies as well as establishment of model rural health research centres for undertaking local health research. We expect that the commitment to providing ‘Smart Cities’ and digitising India through broadband connectivity at village level could result in a boost for models such as telemedicine, which can provide significant impetus to healthcare delivery in rural areas.
However, we are disappointed with the absence of targeted incentives such as infrastructure status to hospitals and increasing tax exemption for setting up hospitals which would have provided access to affordable and quality healthcare in tier II and III cities. This should be addressed by the government in the near future to enable rapid health infrastructure growth.
– Gagandeep Bakshi, Associate Director – Investment Banking, Intellecap