In the interim Budget for 2024-25 presented on Thursday, the Union Health Ministry has been allocated Rs 90,658.63 crore, marking a 12.59% increase from the revised estimates of Rs 80,517.62 crore in 2023-24.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted that healthcare coverage under the Ayushman Bharat insurance scheme will extend to all ASHA and anganwadi workers and helpers.
Out of the allocated budget, Rs 87,656.90 crore is designated for the Department of Health and Family Welfare, while Rs 3,001.73 crore is allotted to the Department of Health Research. The AYUSH ministry's budget has seen a significant rise from Rs 3,000 crore to Rs 3,712.49 crore, reflecting a 23.74% increase.
The government plans to enhance medical education by establishing more medical colleges, utilising existing hospital infrastructure. To address relevant issues and provide recommendations, a committee will be formed for this purpose, announced Sitharaman during the budget presentation.
Encouraging vaccination for girls aged 9-14 to prevent cervical cancer is part of the government's agenda. Additionally, various schemes related to maternal and child healthcare will be amalgamated into a comprehensive program for streamlined implementation.
The newly designed U-WIN platform for immunisation management and the intensified efforts of the Mission Indradhanush will be swiftly implemented nationwide. The budget
allocation for centrally sponsored schemes has surged from Rs 77,624.79 crore to Rs 87,656.90 crore.
Specifically, the National Health Mission's allocation has increased from Rs 31,550.87 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 31,967 crore in 2024-25. The allocation for the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (PM-JAY) has risen from Rs 6,800 crore to Rs 7,500 crore.
Furthermore, the budget allocation for the National Digital Health Mission has increased from Rs 200 crore to Rs 250 crore. The National Tele Mental Health Programme witnessed a boost in budget allocation from Rs 65 crore to Rs 100 crore.
For autonomous bodies, the budget allocation increased from Rs 17,250.90 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 18,005.65 crore in 2024-25. Among these, the allocation for AIIMS, New Delhi, rose from Rs 4,278 crore to Rs 4,523 crore. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) also saw an increase from Rs 2,295.12 crore to Rs 2,432.13 crore.
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