As an expert in the field of Healthcare, Dr. Wasim Ghori, shares the key takeaways from the Union Budget 2021 presented by Honourable Minister of Finance, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in the Parliament. With his vast experience, he is able to see the advantages in the building & strengthening of the healthcare infrastructure and benefits to the public accessing government healthcare facilities and services. It will also lead to massive employment generation, there contributing to the country's economic growth.
This year the focus of the world was squarely centered on the healthcare industry. Moreover, India’s efforts in managing the Covid-19 Pandemic has been exemplary - the country’s frontline workers and scientists have been working tirelessly to save lives and develop indigenous vaccines.
The Union Budget 2021 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was all about prioritizing key issues like creating more jobs, ramping up healthcare spending and boosting economic growth.
Here are the top key takeaways on healthcare industry:
Government of India’s holistic approach to healthcare with the proposed Rs.2,23,846 crores budget outlay for health and well-being for 2021-22, compared to Rs.94,452 crores in the current fiscal, registering a staggering increase of 137% over the previous outlay.
- The government’s increased allocation for the healthcare sector is a welcome move as it will provide access to medical care for all in the country, fuel job creation and boost economic momentum.
- The increased healthcare spending indicates the realization of how a healthcare crisis like the current Covid-19 pandemic can quickly spiral into an economic crisis for the nation.
- The increase in budget outlay for health and welfare by 137% as compared to the previous year will boost the public health and pharmaceuticals sector too.
Increased spending on COVID-19 measures and vaccines.
- The government’s commitment for the COVID-19 vaccination program will accelerate the vaccination across the population.
- The allocation of Rs.35,000 crores for COVID-19 vaccines and more if required will bring the much-needed stability to the public healthcare setup.
- Increased focus on spending on COVID-19 measures and vaccines makes India stand tall as a model for the world.
Prime Minister’s Aatmanirbhar Swasthya Bharat Yojana with a total outlay of Rs.64,180 crore over a period of next 6 years will boost the healthcare ecosystem.
- The announcement of PM’s Aatmanirbhar Swasthya Bharat Yojana is the most overwhelming addition in the aftermath of the pandemic and shows that healthcare capacity building is now a key priority for the government.
- The centrally funded scheme is the first step to boost rural health and keep the country ready for emergency handling of pandemic situations.
- This in addition to the National Health Mission (NHM), will support and strengthen the primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities even in the last miles of our nation.
- The investment will aid in developing capacities of healthcare systems, develop institutions for detection and cure of new and emerging diseases.
- It will also help in establishing critical care blocks in hospitals which is essential from our learning from the recent pandemic.
Substantially increased allocation on Social Determinants of Healthcare with a special focus on Mission Poshan 2.0 to improve nutritional outcomes for children.
- The announcement of an all-inclusive approach through the launch of Mission Poshan 2.0 to improve nutritional outcomes for children across 112 aspirational districts is a praiseworthy move.
- Along with this, the increased focus on cleanliness, solid and waste water treatment, source segregation of garbage, reduction in single-use plastic, reduction in air pollution through Urban Swachh Bharat Mission & universal drinking water supply through Urban Jal Jeevan Mission will subsequently bolster public health.
- This increased allocation would not only improve the health outcomes, but also go a long way in the achievement of 5 out of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (Zero Hunger, Good Health & Well-being, Clean Water & Sanitation, Sustainable cities & Communities & Climate Action).
Increasing access to Pneumococcal Vaccine.
- The pneumococcal vaccine is effective against potentially fatal pneumococcal infections like pneumonia, septicemia and meningitis and the decision to include it in the budget is a welcome decision.
- The Pneumococcal vaccines, a Made in India product, is presently limited to just five states.
- However, it will now be rolled out across the country and will avert over 50,000 deaths annually in the country.
Strengthening existing National Institutions and creating New Institutions.
4 National Institutes of Biology to be established and will provide a thrust for the improvement of the healthcare sector in India, which is commendable. These include:
- Strengthening of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and make India future ready for any further health crises
- Setting up of a National Institution for One Health
- Bio-Safety Level III Laboratories, and
- Regional National Institutes for Virology
Setting up additional Rural &Urban Health and Wellness Centers along with Integrated Public Health Labs.
- Incorporation of 17,788 rural and 11,024 urban health and wellness centers is a supportive move for better patient care and will pave way for more Public-Private Partnerships.
- The decision to set up integrated public health labs in all districts and 3382 block public health units in 11 states along with critical care hospital blocks in 602 districts and 12 central institutions is creditable and rightly addresses the need to reach the last mile population. However, more might be required in a country where the patient-doctor ratio is abysmally poor.
- Expansion of the Integrated Health Information Portal to all States/UTs to connect all public health labs is a step ahead towards digitalization and is a positive move.
In Conclusion:
Overall, the proposals made in the Budget 21-22, would make quality healthcare accessible and affordable, besides standardizing healthcare infrastructure across the country. Given the host of announcements made by the Finance Minister, it shows the commitment by the government to address not only the healthcare’s immediate and urgent needs but, fundamentally develop a program to strengthen Indian healthcare system.
It is appreciable that the government has been very thoughtful regarding healthcare thereby focusing on curative and preventive health and well-being. The enhanced allocation along with the plan to look at healthcare holistically, including nutrition, sanitation, clean drinking water and pollution control, certainly augurs well for the country.
Lastly, Union Budget 2021 will set the precedent for future budgets which will use this year's allocation as a baseline for future initiatives.
I hope the government partners with private healthcare to hasten this process and strengthen health services across the country. On-ground implementation of the announcements made are now eagerly awaited.
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