Public health experts and stakeholders from various sectors are eagerly awaiting the upcoming Union budget on February 1 to see if the Centre will fulfill its commitment to increase pure-play spending on health to 2.5 per cent of GDP. This move has been promised by several governments in the past.
Patient groups are particularly hopeful that the budget will provide increased support for expensive medicines, especially those used for treating cancer and rare diseases. Additionally, there are expectations for announcements catering to research and innovative healthcare initiatives.
The healthcare sector is looking forward to critical decisions that will have a significant impact on the industry. It is important for the budget to address the needs of various stakeholders and prioritize the improvement of healthcare services in the country. The budget announcement on February 1 will shape the future of the healthcare sector and determine the level of support it will receive from the government.