Industry leaders call for a strong need to strengthen and push the sector to improve medical infrastructure by increasing spending
India is all set to present its Budget 2 on February 1, with a lot of expectations for development and reforms from all sectors, including healthcare. According to industry leads, there is a strong need to strengthen and push the sector to improve medical infrastructure by increasing spending to 2.5 per cent of the GDP.
Bhanu Prakash Kalmath SJ, Partner, and Healthcare Industry Leader, Grant Thornton Bharat, hoped that the rising demand for the establishment of modern facilities through public-private partnerships and hospital expansions would be taken care of.
"This investment will enhance primary healthcare centres with skilled personnel and diagnostics, advance preventive care, and integrate digital health technologies like telemedicine to revolutionise accessibility,” Kalmath told Times Now.
Kalmath also stressed the need to increase budget allocation to building infrastructure. "Portable water will also improve the quality of life and bring down communicable disease burden,” he added.
“Boosting healthcare manufacturing and infrastructure is essential. With India poised to be a global leader in healthcare, strategic investments in domestic manufacturing will not only enhance self-reliance but also position the country as a hub for cutting-edge medical technologies and devices,” said Shereef Rehuman, MD, ICEXPO Consults Pvt. Ltd.
According to Kishore Karumanchi, CEO, of Aciana, there is a need for the government to increase public spending on healthcare to create a solid foundation for an empowered and healthy population. “It enables advancements in technology, strengthens infrastructure, and fosters innovation to address diverse health needs. Prioritising this investment creates a foundation for a healthier, more empowered population,” he said.
Karumanchi also hoped there would be reduced customs duties on essential medicines for dreaded diseases like cancer, which could make treatment affordable for everyone.
"It aligns with the goal of delivering personalised, equitable care while easing financial barriers for patients. This step empowers individuals to prioritise their health, fostering a future of accessible and inclusive healthcare for all,” he said.
Dr. Anand, Founding Director and CEO at Remidio, called for a need to prioritise AI-enabled diagnostics for early detection of many conditions and diseases, which can help strengthen the healthcare sector. “We encourage the inclusion of initiatives that foster public-private partnerships in creating healthcare access for the last mile and initiatives that incentivise research and development of new, first-in-world hardware and AI technologies for population health screening and monitoring,” he said.
“By scaling AI adoption and creating infrastructure to support its integration, we can collaboratively shape a future where equitable, efficient, and high-quality healthcare is accessible to all citizens, driving India's leadership in global healthcare innovation,” Dr. Anand added.
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