Himanshu Baid, Managing Director, Poly Medicure shares his views on interim budget 2024
We welcome the interim budget 2024 for the healthcare sector. These initiatives underscore the government’s commitment to promoting preventive healthcare measures, enhancing access to medical services, and strengthening the healthcare infrastructure across the nation.
The decision to encourage vaccination against cervical cancer among girls aged 9-14 years is a significant step towards combating the disease and safeguarding the health of our future generations. Furthermore, extending health cover under the Ayushman Bharat scheme to ASHA and Anganwadi workers recognises their invaluable contribution to community healthcare and ensures their well-being.
The government’s plan to establish more medical colleges by utilising existing hospital infrastructure is praiseworthy and will help address the shortage of healthcare professionals in the country. The consolidation of maternal and child healthcare schemes into a comprehensive programme will streamline service delivery and improve healthcare outcomes for women and children.
We are pleased to note the emphasis on upgrading Anganwadi centres under ‘Saksham Anganwadi’ and Poshan 2.0, which aligns with our commitment to promoting early childhood care and development. The introduction of the ‘U-Win’ platform for managing immunisation reflects a concerted effort to strengthen vaccination programs and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
The announcement regarding the establishment of new nursing colleges co-located with medical colleges is a positive development that will bolster the nursing workforce and enhance healthcare services across the country. Additionally, the mission to eliminate sickle cell anaemia by 2047 underscores the government’s proactive approach towards addressing prevalent health challenges and improving public health outcomes.
The medtech sector is willing to collaborate with the government and healthcare stakeholders to support the implementation of these initiatives and contribute to building a healthier and more resilient India.