Doctors Submit Suggestions to Health Ministry for Union Budget 2024-2025 for healthcare

New Delhi: With the dates of the Budget 2024 approaching, the doctors have recently submitted their suggestions for the Union Budget 2024-2025 for healthcare.

The doctors under the Association of Healthcare Providers (AHPI) have suggested introducing incentives for the private sector to set up more hospitals, budgetary provisions for setting up PG colleges, new nursing colleges, and 300-bedded hospitals to operate as medical colleges.

Budget allocations have also been sought for disease eradication through adult immunization, strengthening of geriatric services, emergency & trauma care, mental health awareness etc.

Doctors have also urged the Government to consider restructuring the Insurance Sector, expanding telemedicine services, sanctioning more funds for medical research, and promoting medical tourism. It also requested the Government to exempt healthcare services availed by hospitals from paying GST.

The AHPI representatives offered these suggestions at the pre-budget consultation chaired by the Finance Minister on 27th June 2024. The suggestions given by the AHPI are as follows:

Incentives for Private Sector to Set up More Hospitals: 

AHPI pointed out that India has currently less than 2 beds as against the WHO norm of 3.5 beds per 1000 population. Opining that increasing the bed capacity should be of the highest priority, the association highlighted the existing regional disparity and suggested that the Government may announce incentives for the private sector like- cheaper loans, cheaper electricity, single window clearances and tax holidays as appropriate, to set up 100-bedded Ayushman Bharat hospitals in these regions.

Setting up More Medical & Nursing Colleges to Increase Human Resources: 

Highlighting the severe shortage of specialist doctors, nurses, and allied healthcare professionals in India, the association suggested that besides increasing the PG seats for doctors, the budget may provide 4-exclusive PG colleges like PGI Chandigarh. 

"Budgetary support is needed for the functioning of newly created bodies like; National Nursing & Midwifery Commission and National Commission for Allied & Healthcare Professionals. Budgetary support for 100-bedded hospitals to start Nursing College and likewise 300 plus bedded hospitals to operate medical college. This will enable meeting shortage at low cost compared to establishing new colleges," it opined.

Promote Preventive Health Measures, Doctors Urge Ministry: 

AHPI has suggested to the Government to provide funds for promotive and preventive including making provisions for safe drinking water, sanitation and awareness on nutrition (millets etc.).

It urged the Government for urgent allocation to make Health & Wellness Centres effective as part of Ayushman Bharat. AHPI further pointed out the requirement for budgetary allocation for disease eradication through adult immunization against Influenza, HPV (for women against cervical cancer), Zoster and pneumococcal to mention few. Allocate resources for mental health awareness, diagnosis, and treatment facilities.

Strengthen Physical & Mental Healthcare: 

The association suggested creating facilities for senior citizens, including senior citizens in the PMJAY scheme, creating of special insurance fund with CSR contribution for affordable health insurance for senior citizens, and removing/reducing GST for senior citizens insurance. 

It also opined that the Government may establish exclusive emergency/trauma centres including empanelling those working at private hospitals to take care of road accident patients and those coming for cardiac and stroke incidents. Further, the association also opined offering mental health services at the Taluk level.

Restructure Insurance Sector: 

Pointing out that the Government has launched the world's largest social health insurance scheme PMJAY covering 40% of India's population, the association highlighted that 85% of tertiary care beds are with the private sector and opined that it is imperative to include the private sector. 

"For this government needs to fix reimbursement rates on a scientific basis and that would also require budgetary provision. Without participation from tertiary care hospitals, the scheme will not be able to achieve its objectives. The same applies to CGHS, ECHS and ESI. We may allow co-payment to bring more tertiary care hospitals within the scheme," opined the association. 

Expand Telemedicine: 

AHPI suggested offering budgetary provisions to expand telemedicine services through the National Digital Health Mission to improve access to healthcare, especially in remote and rural areas. It also advised the Government to invest in digital health infrastructure to facilitate electronic health records and data management.

Strengthening Medical Research: 

The association suggested the government fund medical research and innovation to develop new treatments, vaccines, epidemiological statistical research etc. Need to encourage public-private partnerships in healthcare research.

Promoting Medical Tourism: 

It also advised the government to allocate funds to enhance infrastructure at appropriate destinations to attract and facilitate medical tourism and provide incentives like tax benefits.

GST: 

AHPI suggested that healthcare services availed by hospitals should be exempted from paying GST or be allowed to get credit. The association opined that this will be a step to make healthcare affordable. It also suggested granting industry status to the healthcare sector.

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