As India gears up for the Union Budget 2025-26, the healthcare sector stands at a critical juncture. With rising healthcare demands, increasing disease burdens, and the need for greater accessibility, stakeholders across the industry are looking for bold and strategic policy measures. This budget presents an opportunity for the government to enhance healthcare spending, bridge infrastructure gaps, and prioritize affordability and innovation. Experts believe that a forward-thinking approach, especially in areas like public healthcare funding, MedTech research, and digital health solutions, could transform India’s healthcare landscape.
In this context, Mr. Jasdeep Singh, Group CEO of CARE Hospitals, shares his insights on key expectations from the budget and the steps needed to make quality healthcare accessible for all.
“The Union Budget 2025-26 is a key opportunity to strengthen India’s healthcare system by making it more affordable, accessible, and innovative. At CARE Hospitals, we hope to see a higher allocation for public healthcare spending to close gaps in infrastructure, especially in rural and underserved areas. Expanding Ayushman Bharat to cover outpatient care and diagnostics, along with promoting preventive health programs, can help address the growing challenges of both communicable and non-communicable diseases while ensuring quality healthcare for everyone.
Cancer is a major health concern in our country, putting a heavy financial and emotional strain on people. To make cancer care more affordable, reducing customs duties and GST on essential equipment like LINACs would improve access to advanced treatment in underserved areas. It’s also important to revise reimbursement rates under government schemes like CGHS, PMJAY, and ECHS by linking them to inflation, as many rates have stayed the same for nearly a decade.
To position India as a global healthcare hub, creating a dedicated fund to promote high-quality healthcare and medical tourism is essential. Such measures can not only enhance our healthcare system but also boost India’s stature globally. The government should also prioritize funding research and development in the MedTech sector, incentivizing innovation, and transitioning to quality-linked procurement standards for value-based care.
Encouraging digital health solutions, medical research, and public-private partnerships can help India stay ahead in healthcare innovation. Providing tax benefits and supportive policies for healthcare providers will also be crucial in meeting new health challenges. At CARE Hospitals, we are committed to patient-focused care and hope this budget will empower healthcare providers to reduce gaps, improve outcomes, and make healthcare a key driver of national growth.”
The Union Budget 2025-26 has the potential to reshape India’s healthcare system by addressing critical issues like affordability, infrastructure development, and technological advancements. From increasing public health expenditure to supporting medical innovation and ensuring equitable access to advanced treatments, the government’s policy decisions will play a pivotal role in shaping the sector’s future.
With healthcare becoming a crucial pillar of national progress, stakeholders eagerly await a budget that not only strengthens existing frameworks but also paves the way for a healthier and more resilient India. As the nation moves forward, investments in healthcare will be key to ensuring a robust, future-ready system that benefits every Indian.