Union Budget 2016-17: Dr Ramakanta Panda, VC & MD Asian Heart Institute, Mumbai

Healthcare has finally taken the centre stage in the budget

The market has given a thumbs up to the budget. It gives me great encouragement that healthcare has finally taken the centre stage in the budget. 3000 stores will be opened for affordable medicines. The announcement of a National Dialysis Services Programme could not have come at a better time, given the cost of non-communicable diseases. Also, the decision to put cooking gas in households, to safeguard the health of women have to face the curse of smoke while cooking is a positive move. Insurance scheme for senior citizens will give them dignity in society.

Dr Ramakanta Panda