New Delhi: The Union Budget 2025-26 might sound like progress on paper, but don’t expect any celebrations just yet, say experts. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s eighth consecutive budget has left the healthcare sector unimpressed. With a modest ₹98,000 crores allocated, it’s more “meh” than meaningful.
While reducing customs duties on cancer drugs and adding 36 life-saving medicines to the Patient Assistance Program (PAP) are steps in the right direction, they fall far short of addressing the real needs. The mention of more medical seats and cancer care improvements sounds promising but raises concerns about funding and quality. As for Ayushman Bharat, the ₹9,000 crores allocated barely scratches the surface of its growing demands. Overall, this budget appears to be more of a quick fix than a genuine overhaul for India’s healthcare crisis.
To dissect the Union Budget 2025-26 and conduct a comprehensive analysis of its implications on the healthcare sector, ETHealthworld organised a webinar with the top echelons of the industry. The discussion was titled Budget Healthcare Outlook 2025: Reasons to Cheer and Points of Contention.
The panelists for the session were Dr. B.S. Ajaikumar, Founder and Executive Chairman, HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd.; Namit Joshi, Commercial Director, Centrient Pharmaceuticals & Chairman, Pharmexcil; Vishal Bali, Executive Chairman, Asia Healthcare Holdings; Dr. Shuchin Bajaj, Founder Director, Ujala Cygnus Hospital; Bhanu Prakash Kalmath S J, Partner and Healthcare Industry Leader, Grant Thornton Bharat LLP. The session was moderated by Vikas Dandekar Editor (Pharma & Healthcare), ET Prime and co-moderated byPrathiba Raju, Senior Assistant Editor Digital Content at The ETHealthworld.
