Budget 2021: ₹2.23 lakh cr for healthcare, FM unveils ₹64,180-cr Atmanirbhar Health Yojana
1 min read . Updated: 01 Feb 2021, 11:21 AM IST
Premium- The new scheme will have a financial allocation of ₹64,180 crore over six years, announced finance minister
- The FY22 health and well-being spend has been pegged at 2.23 lakh crore, Sitharaman said
To boost healthcare infrastructure across the country amid ongoing coronavirus pandemic, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday announced Atmanirbhar Health Yojana. The scheme will have a financial allocation of ₹64,180 crore over six years, finance minister said while presenting Budget 2021. "Even at the outset investment in health infrastructure in this budget increased substantially progressively as institutions observe more. Taking a holistic approach, we focus on strengthening three areas- preventing, curative and well being. Health system a new Centrally sponsored scheme PM Atmanirbhar Swasthya Bharat Yojana will be launched with an outlay of ₹64,180 crore," she mentioned.
"Prime Minister Atmanirbhar Swasthya Bharat Yojana will develop the capacity for primary, secondary, and tertiary care health systems in the country," she said. The scheme will support over 17,000 rural and 11,000 urban wellness centres, she added. The scheme will be an addition to the National Health Mission.
"Over six years, this will develop the capacity for primary, secondary, and tertiary care health systems and strengthen national institutions and create new institutions to cater and cure new and emerging diseases," finance minister said.
The central government has earmarked ₹35,000 crore for COVID-19 vaccine in Union Budget, Sitharaman said. "Health and well being have formed the topmost priority of the Union Government during the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis. It is the foremost of the six crucial pillars that form foundation of the Union Budget," she added.
The budget allocation for the healthcare sector was increased to ₹2,23,846 crore in budget estimate 2021-22 as against this year’s budget estimate of ₹94,452 crore.
An allocation of ₹2663.00 crore was granted for the Department of Health Research in the 2021-22 budget.
The Ministry of AYUSH was allocated ₹2970.30 for the next fiscal as against ₹2,122.08 crore proposed for 2020-2021 fiscal.
"In a pandemic impacted year, significant allocation in the Union Budget 2021 for healthcare and wellness industry is commendable. The outlay for the healthcare industry is - 137 per cent higher at ₹2,23,846 crore - a whopping high compared to the industry’s previous budget allocations. This allocationalso includes the much needed ₹35,000 crore for COVID-19 vaccines to ensure swift rollout of mass vaccination and restoring economy sooner than expected," said - Pallav Bihani, founder and chief executive officer at Boldfit.
'In short, this is a progressive budget and addresses aspirations of new India,' she added.
