PMJAY budget is almost trebled in Union Budget

Allocation for National Health Mission at roughly the same level as last year

Finance minister Piyush Goyal on Friday proposed to increase the overall health budget by about Rs 9000 crore to Rs 61398 crore.

The biggest jump in terms of percentage was for Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) whose budget went up from Rs 2400 crore to Rs 6400 crore.

In his speech, finance minister Piyush Goyal said: “past five years have seen massive scale up of health care. Earlier, a poor man used to be in dilemma whether to fulfil daily needs of the family or save the life of an ailing member. This situation has deeply pained our Hon’ble Prime Minister. We launched the world’s largest healthcare programme, Ayushman Bharat, to provide medical treatment to nearly 50 crore people. Already close to 10 lakh patients have benefited for medical treatment which would have cost them 3,000 crore through free treatment made available under the scheme. Lakhs of poor and middle class people are also benefiting from reduction in the prices of essential medicines, cardiac stents and knee implants, and availability of medicines at affordable prices through Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras.”

“Government has rolled out the Ayushman Bharat scheme. By 2030, we will work towards a distress free health care and a functional and comprehensive wellness system for all”

The budget for National health Mission went up marginally from Rs 30129 crore in last year’s budget to Rs 31745 crore. Included in that is Rs 1349 crore for health and wellness centers.

The budget for the department of health research has gone up to Rs 1900 crore. Last year it was Rs 1800 crore.

Goyal said of the 21 AIIMS (6 functional, 15 upcoming), 14 have been announced since 2014. “I am happy to announce setting up of new the 22nd AIIMS in Haryana,” he added.

Health also constituted one of the dimensions of the vision that Goyal unveiled in his maiden budget – the fifth of the government – for India. “A healthy India is the Ninth Dimension of our Vision. We will be aiming at healthy society with an environment of health assurance and the support of necessary health infrastructure. Our Government has rolled out the Ayushman Bharat scheme. By 2030, we will work towards a distress free health care and a functional and comprehensive wellness system for all. Such a healthy India built with the participation of women having equal rights and concern for their safety and empowerment,” Goyal said.