Budget 2024 Expectations: The Indian healthcare sector has high expectations from the upcoming Union Budget 2024-25, with stakeholders eager to see increased investments and policy changes that can address critical challenges and improve access and affordability of care.

Also read: Budget expectations Income Tax: ‘Basic tax relief increased to Rs 3.5 lakh, more exemption under 80C’

Here are some of the key areas where budget expectations are focused:

Health care beyond metros

Jasdeep Singh, Group CEO, Care Hospitals Group, said, “In the upcoming Budget 2024, the government may consider increasing the budget for the healthcare industry. Increased budget allocation can improve access and affordability of people not only in Tier I cities, but also in Tier II and Tier III cities.

Singh highlighted that simplifying and fairing taxes, especially GST reforms, can contribute to this goal. He said the government may also consider a framework to focus on the health insurance, medical supplies and equipment, telemedicine and medical tourism sectors of the healthcare industry.

Healthcare Infrastructure

Singh said there is an urgent need to focus on hospital infrastructure. While hospitals provided essential and high-quality treatment during the pandemic, the prevailing circumstances underlined the inadequacies in the facilities, especially in non-metro cities with an acute shortage of beds and treatment options.

“As a result, the government should prioritize enhancing infrastructure, especially in non-metropolitan areas, to ensure that individuals can easily access healthcare when needed. This initiative will not only benefit local communities but also contribute to the overall improvement of healthcare services globally,” Singh urged.

training health care workers

Singh urged to allocate funds for training and development programs for healthcare providers like doctors and nurses. This will enhance their skills and contribute to better health care outcomes.

“2024 could be a promising year for the healthcare sector. We are hopeful that the government will focus on the healthcare industry in this year’s Union Budget.

Prayag Hospitals Group CEO Pritika Singh also focused on allocating resources for advanced medical technologies and promoting research and development as well as enhancing health care infrastructure.

He said that government support in the form of tax incentives for health care investment, streamlined policies to encourage public-private partnerships and increased budgetary allocation for medical education and training will contribute significantly in uplifting the overall health care ecosystem. Will give.

health insurance reform

Pritika Singh also pointed out the need to prioritize health insurance reforms and encourage preventive health care measures, which can lead to a healthy nation and reduce the burden on the health care system.

“In these unprecedented times, a collaborative effort between the government and private healthcare institutions is necessary. We are hopeful that the Budget reflects a visionary vision, which is in line with industry expectations, and will ultimately create a strong health care framework for the nation,” he urged.

Patient Education and Awareness

Naresh Ahuja, Founder and CEO, SMS Scientific, believes that patient education

remains a significantly neglected domain, yet it holds vital importance in ensuring accurate information dissemination, especially in the current era dominated by the Internet and social media.

“The spread of misinformation online is a serious challenge,

Both patients and caregivers are being misled,” Ahuja said.

Ahuja highlighted that there is an urgent need to promote patient education and awareness supported by the development and implementation of tools and resources that facilitate seamless and accurate communication between healthcare providers and patients during consultations.

“Recognizing the seriousness of this issue, we hope that the Finance Minister will consider paying special attention to this important aspect,” Ahuja urged.

Demand for GST relief

Ahuja also advocated for GST relief on products and devices designed to enhance doctor-patient communication, and to provide incentives to pharmaceutical companies that use these products and devices as part of their services to the medical industry. Proposed.

“Such measures will not only promote better understanding of patients but will also contribute to the overall efficiency of the health care system,” Ahuja said.