Diagnostics companies hope to benefit from the focus on preventive healthcare in the Union Budget 2021, as this could encourage partnerships with the government, especially in tier 2 & 3 cities, to expand the reach of testing services
Ameera Shah, Promoter and MD, Metropolis Healthcare
An impetus could have motivated the sector further
An increase of 137 per cent YoY in outlay in the health and wellbeing sector showcases the government’s aim to create a Swasth Bharat, Swatch Bharat. It is also heartening to see a holistic view on health; taking into account, clean water, hygiene and sanitisation, vaccination, nutrition, and pollution.
The launch of PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojna and the much-needed push to set up primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare is most welcome and we hope the government partners with private healthcare to hasten this process and strengthen health services across the country. The plans to add critical care units, hospitals, 15 health emergency centers, four new national Institutes of Virology and connecting public testing labs is a step in the right direction. The private healthcare sector has showed immense commitment through the pandemic to save lives of citizens and an impetus could have motivated the sector further.
Investment of Rs 35,000 crore funds for the COVID-19 vaccine is a positive move in the country’s fight against the pandemic, however, testing of citizens will remain crucial in the coming months as the economy reopens to its fullest extent. The proposed National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill may enable the industry to thrive and realise its full potential by regulating the service standards and professionalising the nursing and midwifery services.
Arindam Haldar, CEO, Thyrocare Technologies
Is first step to making healthcare affordable and accessible to all
We applaud the Government for the budget announcement, highlighting Rs 64,180 crore investment over a period of six years to improve primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare, in addition to the National Health Mission. The critical announcement of building 17,000 rural and 11,000 urban health and wellness centres with integrated public health labs in each district marks for a monumental decision and the first step to making healthcare affordable and accessible to all.
Healthcare has been bucketed under the six pillars of the Union Budget 2021-22 which underscores the importance of focus on healthcare. Preventive healthcare, is one of the critical areas called out in the budget under health infra, where the investment allotted will further encourage preventive healthcare, which is the need of the hour for our country.
Arjun Ananth, CEO, Medall Diagnostics
Focus will also create a good platform for tier 2 and 3 cities to get access for better diagnostics services
At a time when the world is still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, I welcome the Hon’ble Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s thrust on health and well-being announcing an outlay of ₹2, 83,846 lakh crores for the health and wellness sector. The Government’s Pradhan Mantri Aatmanirbhar Swasthya Bharat Yojna with a commitment to spend ₹64,180 crores over six years, in addition to the National Health Mission, will develop the capacities of the primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare system as well as existing national institutions. Vaccination drive will require a single-minded focus to get the economy back on its rails and improve consumer confidence.
The proposal to set up 17,000 rural and 11,000 urban health and wellness centres and integrated public health labs in each district of the 3,382 block public health units in 11 states will increase the research and development in the healthcare sectors.
The focus on healthcare by the Hon’ble Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is pragmatic, positive and committed to the healthcare sector which a boost needed post the unprecedented pandemic last year. This focus will also create a good platform for tier 2 and 3 cities to get access for better diagnostics services. The proposals would make quality healthcare accessible and affordable, besides standardising healthcare infrastructure across the country.
Dr GSK Velu, CMD, Trivitron Healthcare
Budget 2021 will strengthen the vision of Atma Nirbhar Bharat
The budget will provide a big boost to the healthcare industry working on the development of modalities for preventive healthcare, curative healthcare, and general wellness. Undoubtedly, it will help to expand the capacity of primary, secondary, and tertiary care health systems and strengthen national healthcare infrastructure. Also, it will facilitate the creation of new and advanced institutions for emerging diseases.
We welcome these steps as we remain committed to building the nation’s Healthcare Infrastructure to fulfill the government’s mission.
Dinesh Chauhan, CEO, CORE Diagnostics
Great move towards making healthcare services more democratised
We hail the Government’s continued commitment towards healthcare and well-being with the new Atma Nirbhar Swasthya Yojana, as an addition to the National Health Mission, with outlay of Rs 64,180 crore. This will provide the necessary impetus to the development of primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare and further support the nation to come out of the distress caused by COVID-19.
Since it will also be used towards creating modern institutions and labs to cater for detection and cure of new and emerging diseases – the diagnostics industry will have a major role to play and work towards making healthcare more accessible and sustainable. This is a great move towards making healthcare services more democratised and we are committed towards bringing a significant change in the diagnostics space with early diagnosis and outcome-based line of treatment for patients.