As the Union Budget 2025 nears, the healthcare sector stands at a pivotal moment, brimming with anticipation for transformative reforms and increased investment. Industry experts and stakeholders are hopeful for substantial financial allocations and policy measures to address pressing challenges in accessibility, infrastructure, and affordability. With Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expected to unveil key initiatives, there is optimism around strengthening public health systems, promoting medical innovation, leveraging health AI technologies, and enhancing rural and preventive healthcare. This fiscal roadmap is seen as a critical step toward positioning India as a global healthcare leader while catering to the needs of its vast and diverse population.
Industry insiders and experts share their hopes, asks and expectations with IndiaMedToday ahead of the forthcoming budget on February 1st, 2025.
Medical device:
Ms. Chandra Ganjoo, Group Chief Executive Officer, Trivitron Healthcare:
The medical device industry in India has identified some of the major expectations for the 2025 Union Budget, where it can look forward to overcoming the challenges and unlocking the growth potential.
There should be a simplified regulatory framework to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles and clarify things, including a dedicated authority for medical devices distinct from pharmaceuticals.
Customs duty on Imports
The inverted duty structure needs to be addressed to promote domestic manufacturing, whereby raw materials are charged higher customs duties than the finished products.
Increasing R&D incentives and tax benefits are necessary to encourage innovation and competitiveness.
Proactive efforts towards Make in India
Another key element is stricter enforcement of "Make in India" policies on public procurement, enhanced support for local manufacturers through reduced GST rates, and infrastructural development, such as medical device parks.
More importantly, the domestic standards must be aligned with global benchmarks, thereby increasing exports and simplifying import-export procedures for a smooth supply chain. Investment in skill development and training programs and increased healthcare spending over 2.5% of GDP will create demand and strengthen the sector. If the budget addresses these expectations, it can position India as a global hub for medical devices and drive the growth of the healthcare ecosystem.
Dev Tripathy, Head of Finance, Philips Indian Subcontinent.
“Building a future where advanced healthcare is both accessible and affordable to the larger strata of society requires strategic initiatives, and we recognize the continued commitment of the Indian Government in transforming the Indian Healthcare landscape. Over the past years, initiatives aimed at enhancing access to quality healthcare, advancing medical infrastructure and promoting affordable Healthcare solutions have laid a strong foundation for the Nation's well-being. The upcoming budget presents an opportunity to also address some of the challenges as India continues to play a pivotal role in the global Healthcare ecosystem. Reducing import duties and taxes on lifesaving devices and high-end medical equipment would be a transformative measure, significantly enhancing access to care and improving public health outcomes.”
Mr. Mudit Dandwate, CEO & Co-Founder, Dozee
India must prioritize and invest in becoming the global leader in health AI, driving advancements in digitization, building a connected healthcare ecosystem, and enhancing the manufacturing capacity of indigenous medical devices. This singular focus on health AI leadership can transform the nation's healthcare landscape, improving quality, infrastructure, and global competitiveness.
Aligning with Health AI Vision
The Union Budget 2025 should align with this vision by expanding the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, investing in AI innovation hubs, and fostering public-private partnerships. Standardizing GST rates at 12% for medical devices and software, alongside increasing customs duties on non-critical imports, will further boost domestic innovation and reduce dependency on imports.
Medical Tourism: A Key Growth Opportunity
Additionally, by investing in medical tourism—offering access to world-class doctors and facilities at competitive rates—India can position itself as a premier destination for global healthcare, further strengthening its healthcare ecosystem and economy.
India's Potential in AI-Driven Healthcare Technologies
India has the talent and technological expertise to lead globally in AI-driven diagnostics, telemedicine, and predictive analytics. With bold policy measures, India can establish itself as a healthcare technology powerhouse, delivering affordable, world-class care while becoming a beacon of innovation for the world.
Femtech Industry
Anu Bhatnagar, Women's Health Equity Advocate and Consultant,Co-founder of Global Women’s Health Innovation Conference and Awards
“I strongly believe that allocating a budget for Mass Scale Preventive Healthcare Screening Campaigns – which covers education and screening - for Women in India will be a milestone step.”
Preventive healthcare in the spotlight
A dedicated budget for education and more importantly, free basic screening of most common cancers and cardiovascular risks will result in early detection as well as drive social acceptance of preventive lifestyle. This will significantly reduce the long-term healthcare costs associated with treating advanced-stage illnesses
Data that supports my opinion:
- Less than 5% of the population is covered under cancer screening programs according to the latest FICCI – EY compendium titled roadmap for making cancer care affordable and accessible in India.
- The percentages of women who have ever undergone cervical and breast screening were 1.9%, and 0.9%, respectively according to a survey finding that examines the status of cancer screening across 28 states in India from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 report for the period of 2019–2021.
Three reasons this specific budget will improve management of cancers and other preventable diseases:
1. Make Mass Scale Screening possible: dedicated funds will increase ensure easy access at the grassroots level and community health workers and NGOs can cover their immediate communities, even in rural areas.
2. Free Screening will help cover more women in basic early detection screening
3. Make Prevention Culture A Social Practice where regular check-ups of girls and women are seen as essentials and not a luxury.”
Dr Vidya V Bhat, Medical Director of Radhakrishna Multispeciality Hospital, Bengaluru.
As a gynecologist, I wish the upcoming Union Budget would focus on strengthening women's healthcare services across India. A significant allocation towards improving maternal health, reproductive health services, and access to gynecological care in rural and underserved areas is crucial.
Efforts to reduce MMR
Prioritizing schemes that focus on reducing maternal mortality, enhancing access to prenatal and postnatal care, and ensuring availability of affordable diagnostic services can significantly improve women's health outcomes in the country. Expanding initiatives like Janani Suraksha Yojana and providing incentives for early detection of gynecological cancers will help build a healthier future for women.
Increased focus on Women's health
I look forward to provisions that support fertility treatments, menopause management, and mental health programs for women. We also need subsidies on essential medications and sanitary products. An emphasis on women-centric health infrastructure and skill development for healthcare workers in this domain would be a welcome step toward achieving gender equity in healthcare access."
Hospital sector
Mr. Joy Chakraborty, COO, P. D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre.
“As we build on the transformative healthcare initiatives introduced in previous budgets, we look forward to a stronger emphasis on technology-driven delivery and preventive care in the upcoming fiscal year. The successful integration of maternal and child health programs, alongside the implementation of the U-WIN platform, has established a robust foundation for a more cohesive healthcare ecosystem. For 2024-25, we anticipate increased allocation for healthcare and special programs focused on preventive healthcare and digital infrastructure, which are critical to enhancing efficiency and accessibility.
Focus on Affordability
A key fiscal reform urgently required is the zero-rating of healthcare services. By preserving the input tax credit chain, this measure would reduce patient costs and enable better resource allocation for healthcare providers. Coupled with increased public expenditure on rural and tribal healthcare infrastructure, this reform could significantly advance affordability and equity in healthcare delivery.
The government’s focus on women’s health, evident in initiatives like the cervical cancer vaccination program, reflects a commendable commitment to preventive care.
Bridging the gap
However, addressing the healthcare workforce shortage, projected to reach a deficit of 1.8 million health workers by 2030 (WHO), remains critical. Bridging this gap—particularly for the estimated shortfall of 0.16 million doctors and 0.65 million nurses and midwives—will require immediate investments in skill-building and workforce capacity.
India’s transition from curative to preventive healthcare must be accelerated through comprehensive screening programs targeting high-incidence non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Early detection and management can not only improve health outcomes but also reduce long-term costs for both patients and the system at large.
Integration of Digital health services
Digital health will play a pivotal role in this transformation. We need strategic initiatives to drive its adoption, starting with nationwide disease awareness campaigns, unified digital health record platforms, and specialized training for healthcare professionals to support telemedicine and remote care services. Incentivizing private sector participation through mechanisms like viability-gap funding will be critical to expanding infrastructure in underserved regions.
Additionally, strengthening industry-academia partnerships is essential to align healthcare training with evolving market demands. Investments in centres and practical training facilities will ensure a skilled workforce ready to manage both traditional and emerging healthcare challenges.
Making India future ready
Finally, the modernization of Anganwadi centres and scaling the U-WIN platform with robust digital infrastructure will solidify India’s healthcare foundation. These initiatives must focus on creating sustainable, scalable solutions that address immediate needs while preparing the system for future challenges. Through this multifaceted approach, we can foster a healthcare ecosystem that is accessible, efficient, and equipped to meet the dynamic needs of our growing population.”
Mr. Behram Khodaiji CEO Ruby Hall Clinic Pune
With the Union Budget approaching,we are expecting reforms that will propel the healthcare sector forward and position India as a global medical tourism destination. Streamlining visa processes, providing tax benefits to international patients, and investing in infrastructure would further enhance India's global appeal as the country continues to make significant strides in medical tourism. After exempting customs duties on selected cancer medicines in the previous budget, reduction in GST on medical equipment and consumables further would ease the burden on providers as well as patients, and hospitals would be motivated to use more advanced technologies. Improving accessibility would require a shift in focus on telemedicine solutions and digital health initiatives, especially in rural areas for equitable healthcare distribution. This budget can provide strategic investments and targeted reforms in the sector by focusing more on developing robust medical infrastructure through public-private partnerships and promoting hospital expansions in the wake of rising demand for specialized care and thus can make strides toward meaningful milestones both nationally and internationally to enable better health outcomes.
Mr. Ravi Hirwani, Senior Vice President, Bhailal Amin General Hospital, Vadodara
Strengthening Rural Healthcare
"The Indian healthcare sector is at a pivotal junction of growth. Certain measures announced by the government can further amplify it. The ecosystem needs to be re-engineered to empower rural counterparts with robust, tech-forward healthcare and medical solutions.
Addressing Complex Ailments and the Shortage of Specialists
Complex ailments like cancer and heart issues burden the ecosystem. There is a shortage of medical specialists, and the need for healthcare infrastructure development in the country's rural counterpart. The sector needs strategic reforms from both operational and financial perspectives.
Increased Healthcare Spending and Restructuring Tax Reforms
We request the honorable Finance Minister to increase the allocation by 3% spending of the total GDP to the healthcare sector. Further, the removal or reduction of customs duties on medical devices and cancer-related drugs & devices. The government must consider giving the healthcare sector an infrastructure status that will help private players to reap the benefits and expand operations, especially in smaller cities.
Granting Infrastructure Status and Incentivizing Expansion
An incentivization scheme for expansion in Tier-2 and below cities and the adoption of technology will help the sector flourish in the long run. Hospitals must be allowed to avail the benefits of input tax credit that will help bring a control on treatment costs effectively, thus creating a win-win situation for both industry players and residents alike.
The country must aim for dual-dimensional growth by catering for the residents as well as foreign nationals and to address this, we request the government to introduce special packages and measures for foreign nationals seeking to take treatment in India. This will further accentuate the positioning of India as one of the most sought-after destinations for medical tourism."
Mr. Jasdeep Singh, Group Chief Executive Officer, CARE Hospitals
Strengthening India’s Healthcare System
"The Union Budget 2025-26 is a key opportunity to strengthen India’s healthcare system by making it more affordable, accessible, and innovative. Expanding Ayushman Bharat to cover outpatient care and diagnostics, along with promoting preventive health programs, can help address the growing challenges of both communicable and non-communicable diseases while ensuring quality healthcare for everyone.
Creating channels of affordable and accessible cancer care
Cancer is a major health concern in our country, putting a heavy financial and emotional strain on people. To make cancer care more affordable, reducing customs duties and GST on essential equipment like LINACs would improve access to advanced treatment in underserved areas. It’s also important to revise reimbursement rates under government schemes like CGHS, PMJAY, and ECHS by linking them to inflation, as many rates have stayed the same for nearly a decade.
Prioritizing R&D and Innovation in Healthcare
To position India as a global healthcare hub, creating a dedicated fund to promote high-quality healthcare and medical tourism is essential. Such measures can not only enhance our healthcare system but also boost India’s stature globally. The government should also prioritize funding research and development in the MedTech sector, incentivizing innovation, and transitioning to quality-linked procurement standards for value-based care.
Supportive Policies for Healthcare Providers
Encouraging digital health solutions, medical research, and public-private partnerships can help India stay ahead in healthcare innovation. Providing tax benefits and supportive policies for healthcare providers will also be crucial in meeting new health challenges.”
Dr. Hardik Ajmera, Medical Director, Saifee Hospital, Mumbai
Healthcare Growth and Global Positioning
"The Indian healthcare sector is on the cusp of phenomenal growth. After emerging as the top medical tourist destination, we need to emerge as the top quality healthcare destination for various ailments. India’s position as a global hub for medical tourism must be leveraged through diplomatic ties with multiple countries and medical tourism must be promoted by announcing benefits for foreign nationals to get treatments done in India. The sector will play a key role in India achieving its target of a $5 trillion economy.
Healthcare Growth and Global Positioning
There is a need to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure across the smaller towns and remote areas in India. This can be done by facilitating the private healthcare sector players who if provided with a fertile ground will be incentivized to seize the opportunity in turn strengthening the healthcare ecosystem.
Capital Allocation
Another factor that needs attention is capital allocation for healthcare. The sector needs at least 3% of the overall GDP to strengthen the public medical infrastructure, especially in rural areas of the country.
Empowering the Med-Tech Sector
A robust policy dedicated to the infrastructural empowerment of the Indian med-tech sector will go a long way to help hospitals curb imports and bank on Indian innovations, ultimately giving a boost to the Make in India ideology. Till this takes shape, the import duties on medical equipment must be reduced to ultimately reduce the cost of good quality care for an average Indian patient."
Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Chairman- Sarvodaya Healthcare
“As we approach the 2025 Union Budget, the focus must shift toward building a resilient and inclusive healthcare ecosystem. With India’s healthcare industry projected to reach $683 billion by 2025, investments in emerging trends like Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), AI-powered diagnostics, and digital therapeutics (DTx) are crucial to address the dual challenges of accessibility and affordability. Strengthening rural healthcare infrastructure, supporting digital health initiatives like Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, and enabling technologies such as blockchain and personalized medicine will be key drivers of progress. This budget has the potential to transform healthcare delivery, fostering a future where cutting-edge solutions improve outcomes for millions while ensuring inclusivity and compassion remain central to patient care.”
Eye care
Dr. Aditya Kelkar, Director; National Institute of Ophthalmology (NIO), Pune:
“I would like to emphasize the need for increased investment in healthcare infrastructure. This could involve upgrading government hospital facilities, acquiring cutting-edge equipment and expanding specialized eye care centers. We also need to enhance funding for improving safety for medical staff, doctors and patients so that it improves the overall functioning of the healthcare system.
Advancing eye care innovations
There needs to be a focus on increasing support research and innovations in the healthcare sector. As a professional dedicated to the field of ophthalmology, there is a need to drive innovations in eye care treatments, surgical procedures, and the development of new technologies. This will help improve patient outcomes as well.
Incentives for Public eye health Programs
The government should also explore providing incentives for Public Eye Health Programs. There are several healthcare institutes that partner with NGOs to improve preventive and curative care for the eye health sector. The government should thereby also look at providing incentives to such institutes and NGOs.
Advanced training for medical professionals
Surgical simulators are now being used for training post-graduate medical professionals. These simulators, although very expensive, are highly effective in training professionals. Thus, the government could look at subsidizing this technology for post-graduate training institutes. This will benefit future generations of doctors, especially surgeons in the long run.
Currently, there are several eye-care technologies and machinery being imported from other nations. The government should thereby look at waving off duties on such sight saving equipment or provide incentives to manufacture such technology in the country.”
Mr. VS Sudheer, Group CEO, Maxivision Super Specialty Eye Hospital:
"With nearly 40% of India’s population requiring primary eye care services annually—ranging from optical corrections to advanced surgeries—it is imperative to address the gaps in access and affordability. Advanced eye care services are still concentrated in Tier 1 cities, forcing Tier 2 and Tier 3 populations to travel long distances for specialty care. This disparity is particularly concerning as the 50+ age group, which will soon make up 50% of India’s population, drives a surge in demand for cataract and diabetic eye care services.
Incentives for private sector expansion
Private players dominate advanced eye care due to quick ROI in metro regions. To expand into underserved areas, the government must incentivize investments in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns through subsidies for equipment, real estate, and streamlined approval processes under government schemes. Simplifying compliance and ensuring timely reimbursements under programs like PMJAY will encourage greater participation from private providers.
Reducing costs of advanced equipment
High import duties on advanced technology and equipment make treatments costly. Lowering these duties or promoting domestic manufacturing through Make in India can significantly reduce costs. Supporting R&D, cross-border alliances, and skill development programs will help Indian manufacturers meet international standards and foster innovation.
Bridging the gap
India faces a critical shortage of trained ophthalmologists, with only 20,000 practitioners serving a vast population. Of these, only a fraction is equipped to perform advanced surgeries.Subsidized training programs and mandatory skill-building initiatives for private institutions can help bridge this gap.
Leveraging AI for preventive care
AI-driven solutions hold immense potential for preventive eye care. India, with its vast data pool, can lead the way in predictive analytics if domestic companies receive support for innovation. Finally, broader insurance coverage, subsidies on essential imports, and environmental initiatives like afforestation will ensure affordable, sustainable, and equitable eye care for all."
Sajeev Nair, Founder and Chairman, Vieroots
"As we approach the Union Budget 2025, the focus on preventive healthcare is more crucial than ever. At Vieroots, we believe that the future of healthcare lies in empowering individuals to take charge of their well-being through personalized solutions rooted in genetic and metabolic insights. This approach not only reduces the burden of lifestyle diseases but also enhances the overall productivity and quality of life for millions.
Tax benefits for preventive health programs
The upcoming budget presents an opportunity for the government to incentivize this shift towards proactive healthcare. Tax benefits for individuals investing in preventive health programs can encourage widespread adoption. Additionally, targeted support for health-tech innovations, especially in genomics and AI-driven personalized health, can position India as a global hub for cutting-edge wellness solutions. Public awareness campaigns highlighting the importance of personalized wellness can further transform health outcomes at a population level.
Building a future
A robust focus on these measures will not only strengthen India’s healthcare ecosystem but also foster a healthier and more resilient society. By aligning policy priorities with the potential of personalized wellness, we can create a sustainable, future-ready healthcare model that serves as a benchmark for the world."
Healthcare Insurance
Mr. Siddharth Singhal, Head-Health Insurance, Policybazaar.com.
Evolving insurance needs
The insurance sector is constantly evolving and offering new products that cater to the wide range of customer needs. While buying an insurance policy people should thoroughly evaluate their unique needs. After the COVID-19 epidemic, demand for health insurance has increased significantly, and the sector has grown quickly in an effort to keep up with the demand.
Increase tax deduction limits
There is a need for an increase in the tax deduction limit for health insurance premiums, proposing a raise to Rs 50,000 for individuals, their spouses, and dependent children, and to Rs 1 lakh for senior citizen parents. Furthermore, the industry is advocating for tax exemptions on Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). All these expectations and recommendations are perfectly aligned with the industry’s vision of Insurance for all by 2047; and will greatly aid in the sector's growth and ensure the well-being of all policyholders.
Mr. Sajja Praveen Chowdary, Director, Policybazaar for Business.
Budget Expectations
The insurance industry is expecting important reforms from Union Budget 2025 that will boost the sector’s growth and support the economy. One of the key expectations from the budget is to offer GST relief on health insurance/other employee insurances to MSMEs which employ many more people at the lower spectrum of income in the society. MSMEs usually rely on employee benefits like Group Health Insurance to attract and retain talent. The existing GST regulations create a further burden because MSMEs cannot claim input credit for the GST paid on employee health/life insurance premiums. Although a total waiver may not be feasible for all businesses, the government could consider providing some relief to MSMEs. This can only benefit the budget and country indirectly over a medium to longer term as in this lower income segment covered by MSMEs in absence of such coverages, the population has to rely completely on government subsidies and schemes for either hospitalization or for upliftment of their strata in case of death/disablement of a breadwinner.
Satish Kannan, Co-founder & CEO, MediBuddy
"As India approaches Budget 2025, it is crucial to prioritise reforms that address key gaps in our healthcare and insurance sectors. At MediBuddy, we strongly believe that mandating a dedicated allocation of CSR funds for primary and preventive healthcare will make our system more cohesive and transformative, complementing programs like Ayushman Bharat.
Upskilling healthcare workforce
To support this, we advocate for a dedicated budget to upskill healthcare workers through specialised programs within existing skill development and internship initiatives. This will equip the workforce to deliver high-quality healthcare nationwide. Additionally, we propose performance-linked incentives (PLI) for healthtech platforms focused on digital health, AI-powered solutions, and remote diagnostics. These incentives will drive innovation and expand access, particularly in Tier 2 and 3 cities.
Expand insurance and wellness coverage
India has a unique opportunity to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure, especially for the 'missing middle'—over 400 million uninsured Indians. Expanding insurance front, OPD and wellness coverage, especially for public and government sector employees, will be key. Introducing tax incentives for wellness-linked benefits will encourage preventive healthcare practices and reduce the overall burden on the system. Supporting health-linked savings products, modeled after the National Pension System, will also empower individuals to invest in their long-term health.
Collectively, these reforms will strengthen the healthcare sector, drive sustainable growth, and improve health outcomes for all Indians."
Life Sciences Infrastructure
Mr. Vishal Goel, MD, Rx Propellant
Budget 2025 offers a critical opportunity to position India as a global leader in life sciences, especially given geopolitical shifts and the need to compete with established players like China. To achieve this, the budget must prioritize strategic investments and targeted support.
Build world-class infrastructure
This includes significantly increasing government funding for research and development through measures like extending tax benefits to CROs and R&D firms through modification of 115BAB, reintroducing weighted R&D deductions under 35(2AB), and implementing a 200% deduction on R&D expenditures, alongside streamlined tax appeal processes. Furthermore, investing in shared, high-quality infrastructure within established research ecosystems, elevating NIPERs to IIT standards, and providing direct funding for promising drug candidates are crucial for fostering innovation. Increasing healthcare spending to align with global averages and rationalizing customs duties on essential therapies and equipment will further enhance access and affordability.
Strengthen IPR and clinical trial ecosystem
While Promotion of Research and Innovation in the Pharmaceutical and Medical Technology Sector (PRIP) scheme which encourages established pharma companies to engage in collaborative research with the NIPERs and avail their research infrastructure is a good start, mere financial support and institutional collaboration through NIPERS may not be enough. Other incentives such as creating an ecosystem for protecting and monetizing Intellectual Property rights (IPR), partnerships with internationally recognized facilities for clinical trials, are also essential to attract large pharmaceuticals and medical technology companies. These measures, coupled with regulatory streamlining and robust implementation of the National Pharmaceuticals Policy, 2023, are essential for strengthening India's innovation ecosystem, solidifying its role as the 'pharmacy of the world,' and achieving the goal of a $130 billion pharma market by 2030.
Healthcare Infrastructure
Dr. Vivek Desai, Founder & Managing Director, HOSMAC
“As India prepares for the Union Budget 2025-26, it is crucial to prioritize investments in healthcare infrastructure. Introducing a dedicated Healthcare Capex Fund with flexible loan repayment terms can incentivize private sector investments, ensuring sustainable growth.
Rationalize GST and customs duties
Moreover, rationalizing GST is essential to overcome the financial burden on hospitals as they currently cannot claim input tax credits due to the GST-exempt nature of healthcare services. Lowering customs duties on life-saving and high-cost diagnostic equipment will further facilitate access to advanced medical technology.
Address critical gaps
Additionally, bridging the gap in hospital bed capacity, addressing the shortage of skilled professionals and streamlining healthcare insurance schemes are critical steps toward building an equitable and resilient healthcare system. Now is the time to lay a robust foundation for India’s health, in line with the vision of a thriving and healthy nation.”
Mr. Priyadarshi Mohapatra, Founder & CEO, CureBay
As we approach the Union Budget 2025, we hope the government will strongly focus on healthcare accessibility and innovation. Strengthening rural health infrastructure, adopting technology-driven solutions, and prioritizing preventive care are essential steps to address the growing disparities in healthcare delivery. Increased budgetary allocations in these areas can significantly improve outcomes for underserved communities. Additionally, introducing tax incentives for healthcare startups and streamlining regulatory frameworks would encourage innovation and foster greater efficiency in the sector.
Mr. Hariharan Subramanian, Managing Director of Siemens Healthcare Private Limited
“India's ambition for 'Viksit Bharat 2047' calls for a bold, forward-thinking vision that seamlessly integrates technology, governance, and stakeholder collaboration to foster transformative change and enhance the quality of life. India possesses immense potential for innovative collaborations that could propel the country to become a manufacturing hub for medical devices.
Budget 2025 for MedTech
The Union Budget 2025 is of significant importance to the MedTech sector. Ongoing support for local manufacturing of high-quality medical devices will ensure improved access to timely and advanced healthcare solutions. India's dependence on imported medical devices highlights the urgent need to strengthen the country's innovation ecosystem, R&D capabilities, and manufacturing infrastructure to achieve self-sufficiency in this critical sector.
Focus on Early Detection
Moreover, prioritizing early detection initiatives for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders can significantly improve survival rates, transforming the lives of thousands of patients.”
Dr. Manisha Bobade, CEO, KJ Somaiya Hospital and Research Center
India's healthcare sector is on the brink of a transformative era, with the potential to set global benchmarks in accessibility, affordability, and innovation. The Union Budget 2025 offers a critical opportunity to strengthen this vision by driving advancements that bridge urban and rural divides, fostering a resilient and inclusive ecosystem.
With healthcare expenditure currently at 2.5% of GDP, there is immense scope for strategic investments in infrastructure, domestic R&D, and medical technology. These efforts are vital to reducing dependency on imports and ensuring affordability for all.
Strategic investments to strengthen healthcare infrastructure
Initiatives such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission and the National Tele Mental Health Programme have laid the groundwork for progress. However, there is still much to accomplish. Expanding health insurance coverage, supporting healthcare professionals, and promoting ‘Make-in-India’ innovations are crucial steps toward building a self-reliant, future-ready healthcare system.
India’s journey toward an equitable healthcare landscape relies on seamlessly integrating innovation, inclusivity, and strategic policies. By prioritizing affordability, simplifying access, and empowering healthcare workers, we can ensure quality care for all. This approach will not only reinforce India’s position as a global leader in health innovation but also inspire the world with our progress. Together, we can create a healthier, more equitable future for over 1.4 billion citizens.
Conclusion
The Indian healthcare sector looks forward to key announcements in the Union Budget 2025. Industry leaders across various segments have shared their expectations and recommendations, highlighting the need for increased budgetary allocation, improved infrastructure, focus on preventive healthcare and policy reforms to make quality healthcare accessible and affordable.
The upcoming Union Budget 2025 is to be a turning point for the Indian healthcare sector. By addressing the key challenges and implementing the suggested reforms, the government can help create a more robust, accessible, and affordable healthcare system for all Indians.