By Rashmi Mabiyan & Devanshi Dewan
New Delhi: The Interim Budget, announced by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India has been received well by the medical community at large with the foundation laid towards a Viksit Bharat 2047, in regards to driving healthcare development and accessibility forward in the country has been realised and affirmed with.
The policies underscoring the healthcare industry in the Budget 2024 cover significant aspects like Cervical cancer vaccination, improving nutrition delivery, maternal and childcare, immunisation and community healthcare through extending the health cover under the Ayushman Bharat scheme to ASHA and Anganwadi workers. All these steps are a welcome step in the right direction. ETHealthworld spoke to leading names in the MedTech sector and here is what we found out:
Himanshu Baid, Managing Director, Poly Medicure Ltd.:
“We welcome the interim budget 2024 for the healthcare sector. These initiatives underscore the government’s commitment to promoting preventive healthcare measures, enhancing access to medical services, and strengthening the healthcare infrastructure across the nation.
The decision to encourage vaccination against cervical cancer among girls aged 9-14 years is a significant step towards combating the disease and safeguarding the health of our future generations. Furthermore, extending health cover under the Ayushman Bharat scheme to ASHA and Anganwadi workers recognises their invaluable contribution to community healthcare and ensures their well-being.
The government’s plan to establish more medical colleges by utilising existing hospital infrastructure is praiseworthy and will help address the shortage of healthcare professionals in the country. The consolidation of maternal and child healthcare schemes into a comprehensive programme will streamline service delivery and improve healthcare outcomes for women and children.
We are pleased to note the emphasis on upgrading Anganwadi centres under ‘Saksham Anganwadi’ and Poshan 2.0, which aligns with our commitment to promoting early childhood care and development. The introduction of the ‘U-Win’ platform for managing immunisation reflects a concerted effort to strengthen vaccination programs and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
The MedTech sector is willing to collaborate with the government and healthcare stakeholders to support the implementation of these initiatives and contribute to building a healthier and more resilient India.”
Anish Bafna, CEO and MD, Healthium Medtech:
“The Interim Budget of 2024 lays the foundation for our nation’s relentless roadmap towards Viksit Bharat 2047. The allocated corpus of 1 lakh for R&D and the new scheme to develop deep tech for defense purposes, along with 50-year interest-free loans, is a promising step to encourage the private sector towards scaling up research and innovation significantly in the sunrise sectors.
The increased impetus on maternal and childcare schemes will boost overall public health. Furthermore, tailored initiatives like Poshan 2.0 and increased penetration under the Ayushman Bharat scheme will go a long way to improve and aid nutrition delivery, early childhood care and development in rural last-mile communities. However, pragmatic guidelines are still required to prioritise the adoption of the latest technologies for better clinical outcomes and improving patient centricity.”
Chandra Ganjoo, Group Chief Executive Officer, Trivitron Healthcare:
“Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the interim budget for 2024, outlining a strategic vision for healthy economic development. In her address, the Finance Minister emphasised India’s resilience in overcoming the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighted the establishment of foundations for a self-reliant nation.
Notable initiatives for the healthcare sector include a significant focus on maternal and child health care through the introduction of SakshamAnganwadi and Poshan 2.0.
Addressing public health concerns, the government advocates for the vaccination of girls aged 9-14 against cervical cancer. This initiative, focusing on awareness, early HPV screening, and vaccination, aims to empower females to enhance their reproductive health and protect against the consequences of cervical cancer.
Recognising the scarcity of medical professionals, the government plans to construct more medical hospitals and colleges, contributing to an improved healthcare landscape in India.
The 2024 budget reflects a strategic approach to healthcare, prioritising maternal and child well-being, disease prevention, and the overall enhancement of the healthcare infrastructure.”
Dr Jagprag Singh Gujral, SVP MDO/ Head of Emerging Markets, Varian (a Siemens Healthineers Company) and Group CEO- CTSI:
“We are happy to see the budgets renewed focus on preventive initiatives for Cancer such as Cervical cancer the FM alluded to. Talent pool enhancement through the announcement for Medical Colleges and extension of the Ayushmann Bharat scheme are welcome positives for the growing middle class youth and the healthcare industry. The interim budget from a healthcare announcements perspective is in line with the optimism in India’s growth story.”
Partha Pratim Das Mahapatra, Founder and CEO, EzeRx:
“The Interim Budget of 2024 marks a significant boon for the healthcare industry, particularly benefiting the rural areas where the need is greatest. The government’s strategic initiatives, notably Mission Indradhanush, exemplify a transformative commitment to immunise against measles, polio, hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria, TB, and pertussis, empowering women and securing a brighter future for children.
The visionary establishment of additional medical colleges resonates well with our youthful nation, addressing the aspirations of many prospective doctors who currently seek education abroad. This strategic move not only empowers the youth but also contributes to the radiant future of India. A powerful step forward involves extending cervical cancer vaccination to adolescents aged 9-14, a crucial move in combating a significant healthcare challenge. This visionary approach aims to tackle cervical cancer effectively.
The government’s focus on child and maternal health through the implementation of a comprehensive childcare plan, as part of the POSHAN 2.0 scheme, is commendable. The Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, collectively referred to as Poshan 2.0, constitute an Integrated Nutrition Support Programme targeting malnutrition among children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
While lauding the positive strides in the Interim Budget of 2024, anticipation builds for the forthcoming Union Budget, expected to further catalyse the nation’s growth. We express gratitude to the government for its proactive measures in the preventive healthcare domain. Additionally, we anticipate informative insights shedding light on the non-invasive device genre.”
