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 cro
Harsh Vardhan termed the PM Aatmanirbhar Swasth Yojana a gift of self-reliant healthy India scheme.
New Delhi:
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has appreciated the 2021-2022 Budget, saying the allocation of Rs 35,000 crore for COVID-19 vaccines and commitment to provide further support will help end this pandemic and expedite economic recovery.
He hailed the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and prudence of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for taking us closer to Health For All . A remarkable 137 per cent increase, taking budgeted outlay for health and wellbeing to Rs 2,23,846 crore, he said.
The government has proposed a budget outlay of Rs 2,23,846 crore for health and well being in 2021-2022, an increase of 137 per cent from the previous year, with Rs 35,000 crore earmarked for COVID-19 vaccine in the upcoming fiscal.