23 Jul 2024 • Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Union Budget 2024-25 today. One of the most significant and encouraging aspects for the health sector was the Budget's focus on making medicines, particularly for cancer patients, more affordable.

The Minister has proposed to remove the custom duties for these medicines; Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Osimertinib and Durvalumab, from 10 percent to nil.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS: Healthcare Budget 2024

• This year, the Health Ministry has been allocated Rs 90,958.63 crore, reflecting a 12.9 percent increase from the previous budget.
• Out of Rs 90958.63 crore, the Department of Health and Family Welfare has been allocated Rs. 87656.90 crore and the Department of Health Research has been allocated Rs. 3301.73 crore.
• The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana allocation was raised from ₹7,200 crore in 2023-24 to ₹7,500 crore in 2024-25.
• Allocation for Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission was increased from ₹2,100 crore in 2023-24 to ₹4,108 crore in 2024-25.
• Upgrades to Anganwadi centres under the ‘Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 initiative were planned to combat malnutrition and enhance early-stage healthcare services.
• Healthcare coverage under Ayushman Bharat was extended to all ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers and helpers.
• Allocation for biotechnology research and development was increased from ₹500 crore in 2023-24 to ₹1,100 crore in 2024-25.

Source: TOI | Read full story