Care economy, telemedicine key to expanding healthcare access: PM Modi
New Delhi: The Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi yesterday chaired the Post-Budget Webinar on Health, Ayush and Pharma Sectors on the theme ''Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas - Fulfilling Aspirations of People'' organised as part of the Government’s post-budget outreach to discuss effective implementation of the announcements made in the Union Budget 2026–27 and to seek suggestions from stakeholders.
The webinar brought together policymakers, healthcare professionals, industry representatives, researchers and officials from the Centre and States to deliberate on strengthening India’s healthcare ecosystem.
During his address, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of post-budget consultations in translating policy announcements into effective implementation on the ground. He said that fulfilling the aspirations of the people remains the central objective of the Union Budget and noted that sectors such as education, skill development, health, tourism, sports and culture play a crucial role in achieving this vision. The Prime Minister emphasised that suggestions from experts, policymakers, entrepreneurs and stakeholders participating in the webinar would be important for the effective implementation of the initiatives announced in the budget, the PIB stated.
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The Prime Minister noted that India is working with a broad vision of preventive and holistic healthcare. He said that in recent years, the country’s healthcare infrastructure has expanded significantly with the establishment of new medical colleges and the strengthening of healthcare services through initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat and wellness centres that are bringing healthcare closer to villages across the country. He also highlighted the growing global recognition of India’s traditional systems of medicine, including yoga and Ayurveda.
The Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of strengthening the care economy, noting that the coming decade will witness a significant rise in the number of senior citizens in India and an increasing global demand for trained caregivers. He encouraged experts participating in the webinar to suggest innovative training models and partnerships to strengthen the country’s healthcare workforce and create new skill-based employment opportunities for the youth.
Referring to the growing importance of digital healthcare, the Prime Minister highlighted the role of telemedicine in expanding access to medical services in remote areas. He noted that while many people are already benefiting from telemedicine, there is a need to further increase awareness and improve accessibility so that more citizens can take advantage of these services.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Ayush, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, addressed the concluding session of the Post-Budget Webinar. In his address, he said that the Union Budget 2026 marks an important step towards building a holistic, inclusive and future-ready healthcare system. He noted that under the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the government is strengthening the vision of “Health for All” while advancing towards the goal of Viksit Bharat.
Shri Jadhav highlighted that the ₹4,408 crore allocation for the Ministry of Ayush will further strengthen the integration of Ayush systems into mainstream healthcare. He said that through initiatives such as the National Ayush Mission, the government is expanding the reach of Ayush services and strengthening Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across the country, thereby promoting preventive healthcare and evidence-based treatment approaches at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
Referring to key announcements in the Union Budget, the Minister noted that the proposal to establish three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda will significantly enhance higher education, clinical services and research in traditional medicine. These institutions will strengthen tertiary healthcare capacity while promoting evidence-based integrative healthcare.
Shri Jadhav emphasised that quality assurance remains a key priority for the Ministry. The upgradation of Ayush pharmacies and drug testing laboratories will strengthen certification systems, regulatory oversight, and professional standards, ensuring safe, high-quality medicines for citizens while also enhancing India’s export potential. These initiatives will also benefit farmers engaged in medicinal plant cultivation and support MSMEs involved in processing and manufacturing.
Highlighting India’s growing global leadership in traditional medicine, the Minister said that strengthening the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar will further reinforce India’s position as a global knowledge hub for evidence-based traditional healthcare. This initiative will promote research collaboration, international training and policy dialogue in the field of traditional medicine.
He also referred to the proposal in the Union Budget to establish five regional medical hubs with participation from states and the private sector. These hubs will function as integrated health complexes bringing together advanced medical services, educational institutions and research facilities. With Ayush centres and medical value tourism facilities, these hubs are expected to position India as a leading global destination for holistic healthcare and medical value travel.
Shri Jadhav underscored the criticality of fortifying the care economy through dedicated skill development initiatives. The strategic blueprint to train 1.5 lakh multi-skilled caregivers, strictly adhering to the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), is meticulously engineered to achieve a bipartite objective: the expansion of preventive, rehabilitative, and geriatric care provisions concurrent with the cultivation of a proficient workforce for the healthcare domain.
He noted that over the past decade, the Ayush sector has witnessed significant progress in institutional development, research, global recognition, and public acceptance. He also highlighted that the Union Budget 2026 builds on this strong foundation and provides a new direction — moving from expansion to excellence, from scale to quality and from national strengthening to global leadership.
The Minister expressed confidence that the discussions and suggestions emerging from the webinar will help accelerate the implementation of the initiatives announced in the Union Budget and further strengthen India’s healthcare ecosystem. He also thanked all participants and stakeholders for their valuable inputs and called for collective efforts to realise the vision of “Swasth Bharat, Samriddh Bharat.”
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, spoke during the breakout session, emphasising the substantial advancements in the Ayush sector over the past year. These improvements stem from reinforced efforts in research, education, standardisation, and international cooperation.
He highlighted that the proposed establishment of three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda will bolster education, research, and integrative healthcare nationwide. He also stressed the need to strengthen quality assurance. This involves upgrading Ayush pharmacies and drug-testing laboratories to ensure that Ayush products are safe and globally competitive. He also noted that reinforcing the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) will solidify India’s leadership in evidence-based traditional medicine.
The webinar concluded with interactive discussions and presentations from senior officials and experts outlining the roadmap for the effective implementation of the initiatives announced in the Union Budget 2026–27. Participants from government, academia, industry, research institutions and the healthcare community shared valuable suggestions on strengthening healthcare infrastructure, expanding Ayush services, enhancing quality standards and promoting innovation. The insights emerging from the deliberations are expected to accelerate the implementation of budget announcements and further advance India’s vision of a holistic, inclusive and future-ready healthcare system.
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