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)