Budget reaction: Varun Sheth, CEO & Co-founder, Ketto.org

The proposed healthcare budget is a big move to boost the country’s healthcare infrastructure. The pandemic has brought the healthcare system to the centre stage, the allocation of Rs 2,23,846 crore, which is 137 per cent higher than the previous budget is a major move. Additionally, the announcement of PM AtmaNirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana with an outlay of 64,180 crores to develop the capacities of primary, secondary, and tertiary care health systems to build better capacity to combat future pandemic is a welcome step.

However, it was surprising to see the government’s significant schemes such as the Ayushman Bharat and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) remained severely underfunded. The recent economic survey has emphasized a hike in public spending on healthcare services to reduce out of pocket expenditure (OOPE) from the current level of 65 per cent to 35 per cent. India has one of the highest levels of OOPE in the world, contributing to high medical expenditure which drives millions of families into the depths of poverty every year. In recent years, medical crowdfunding has played an instrumental part for such families, enabling them to afford quality medical care for their loved ones. It is encouraging to see that the government is prioritising preventive care and well being, however, India needs a long term policy to build a healthcare ecosystem that enables quality and affordable healthcare to all.”