Union Budget 2022-23: Here are the Highlights for Health Care Sector

With peace comes good health, and countries where more focus is towards the healthcare sector, people tend to stay happier throughout the life. The Union budget was announced on 1st February by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in which she addressed the nation with certain changes including the Health Care Sector. Due to the downfall in the economy, people have faced more mental health issues than ever. Loss of loved ones have left people grieving, and hence an increase in mental stress has been noticed. In India, where mental health is still a taboo, the government decided to take some crucial steps to help people.

LET’S LOOK OVER SOME HIGHLIGHTS;

• The health sector budget estimate for 2022-23 is Rs 86,200.65 crore, which is 16.59 percent higher from the budget estimate for 2021-22.
• In addition to improving health facilities, the government has prioritized another important aspect of the pandemic: mental health.
• The government announced the roll-out of the national tele-mental health programme in response to Covid-19’s detrimental effects on mental health. Especially designed for those with vulnerability.
• A network of 23 tele-mental health centres of excellence will be established, with NIMHANS serving as the nodal centre and IIIT-Bengaluru providing technical assistance. According to NIMHANS’ Dr Murthy, the 23 centres have specialized mental healthcare resources and would assist states and UTs in setting up tele-health helplines and training counsellors to provide first-level psychological treatment.
• In her Union budget address, Sitharaman announced the launch of a national health ecosystem open platform. According to her, the digital ecosystem would include a comprehensive list of digital registers for health providers and facilities, a unique health identity, a consent framework, and universal access to health services. This ecosystem has been showered with Rs 200 crore, which is far better than the previous budget which was Rs 30 crore.
• The Department of Health Research, which is instrumental in the creation of vaccines in India, has been given Rs 3,200 crore.
• A new scheme will be introduced for the healthcare sector. The scheme will be sponsored by the Central Government and will be called the PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana.
• As per the Finance Minister, the main aim of the scheme will be to develop institutions that can detect new diseases, provide a cure, and improve the healthcare systems.
• The Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) saw its allocation rise up to Rs.4,000 crore.
• The National AIDS and STD Control Programme saw its allocation rise by 30% to Rs.2,500 crore.

OVER TO YOU

This year’s budget provides a great amount to boost the health care sector. Moreover, great schemes and the launch of the national health ecosystem is a good step to flourish health care. Stay tuned for more updates!