‘Customs duty on imported medical equipment should be exempted for new hospitals for five years since inception’

The next PM should focus on the following: The healthcare sector need to be considered as an ‘industry’ to ensure faster growth.

Focus should be on developing skilled healthcare professionals by encouraging all private players, in addition to non-profit organisations, to create healthcare institutions following the MCI guideline. Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) should introduce gradation structure for hospitals, considering their level of services before deciding prices for different procedures. It is recommended that customs duty on imported medical equipment and duty on electricity consumption should be exempted for new hospitals for five years since inception.

– PL Mehta, Whole-time Director, Neotia Healthcare Initiative