The COVID-19 pandemic has made us realise that India needs to have a strong and affordable healthcare system. As expected, the healthcare sector occupied the first of the six pillars of the budget proposals for 2021-22. Taking a holistic approach to healthcare, the finance minister said focus should be on strengthening three areas in healthcare – preventive, curative and wellbeing.
The first of the key announcements in the healthcare sector is a centrally sponsored scheme – the Prime Minister Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana (Scheme), with an outlay of Rs 64,180 crore for a period of six years – which aims to improve primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare sectors. The scheme will focus on developing healthcare systems, strengthening existing healthcare institutions and establishing new institutions for detecting and curing new and emerging diseases. It is notable that the scheme is an addition to the existing National Health Mission. Further, an amount of Rs 35,000 crore is proposed to be set aside for the Covid-19 vaccination drive in 2021-22, with a promise of additional funds, if required.