Budget 2020: Highlights of the healthcare sector

The Union Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman, today, presented Budget for fiscal year 2020-21 in the Lok Sabha. 

Here’s what she said about the medical and healthcare industry.

  • Health Cess imposed on medical equipment.
  •  Sitharaman said, “Now, we not only manufacture medical equipment, but also export it.”
  • Govt to use proceeds from the tax of medical devices for setting up hospitals in tier 2 and 3 cities.
  • Rs 69,000 crore for healthcare sector for fiscal 2020-21. Last year, the amount allocated was Rs 62,659 crore. Jan Arogya Yojana gets Rs 6,400 crore for the fiscal 2020-21.
  • READ ALSO: Budget 2020 — Expectations of healthcare fraternity
  • Under Aspirational Districts Scheme, hospitals to be opened in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, which still do not have a Ayushman-empanelled hospital.
  • Shortage of medical professionals across the country will be addressed by converting existing district hospitals to medical colleges through PPP mode.
  • Budget2020: Large hospitals to be encouraged for PG courses.
  • Rs 4,400 crore allocation for climate change policy.
  • Deposit insurance coverage raised to Rs 5 lakh from Rs 1 lakh.
  • Rs 12,300 crore allocated for Swachh Bharat Mission.
  • Enhanced allocation of Rs 9,500 crore for senior citizens and ‘Divyang’
  • Over 6 lakh Anganwadi workers have been equipped with smartphones to upload the nutrition status of 10 crore households, says FM
  • Rs 20,000 crore for the renewable energy sector.
  • PM KUSUM scheme for solar pumps expanded, now targets to cover 20 lakh farmers
  • Govt intends to eliminate Foot and Mouth Disease.
  • Govt to expand Mission Indradhanush, add hospitals to Ayushman Bharat.
  • Plan to ease India’s water problems starts, with helping 100 districts

(Pic courtesy: PIB)

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