Pre-Budget expectations: Chander Shekhar Sibal, Executive Vice President & Head of Medical Division, FUJIFILM India

The healthcare industry met with some of the gravest challenges during the last three years, owing to the pandemic and other factors. However, with the government’s relentless support, including a rise in budget allocations as part of the ‘Healthy India’ vision in FY23, the country was able to combat many of these hurdles. Needless to say, India’s healthcare and research professionals also played a fundamental role as agents of change.  

While there was a commendable increase in the budget allocated to the healthcare industry last year, this year we expect an additional rise in the same. Moreover, a stronger focus on the public healthcare sector for accessible, affordable and quality health services to all will remain critical. We also look forward to reforms that provide tax benefits on preventive health check-ups and healthcare skilling. This, coupled with widespread digitisation in the industry will help healthcare institutions to cut down on operational expenses and keep their focus streamlined. Healthcare Insurance for the middle-income group with co-payment would be important to improve the accessibility of healthcare services.