Hyderabad, Jan 30 (TNT) : The Union Budget 2026 could prove to be a defining moment for India’s healthcare system if it strengthens the entire patient journey—from prevention and early diagnosis to timely access to life-changing treatments, said Dr Naresh Purohit, Executive Member, Indian Medical Academy for Preventive Health.
Speaking at a Continuing Pharmaceutical Education (CPE) programme organised by the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) here, Dr Purohit said the upcoming Budget would determine whether healthcare is treated as a growth sector or merely as a welfare expense.
He stressed that the healthcare sector is seeking stronger funding for infrastructure, research, medical education and last-mile access.
“Hospitals are under pressure, patient demand is rising and workforce capacity is lagging. Demand is increasing, capacity is uneven and global supply chains remain unreliable. Small funding increases alone will not fix these challenges,” he said.
Dr Purohit noted that a Viksit Bharat by 2047 would depend on a healthy and productive workforce. He advocated a prevention-first healthcare model powered by mandatory health check-ups, digitised medical records and UPI-style data portability to enable early risk detection, personalised care and long-term productivity at scale.
“Just as India led the world in digital payments, preventive healthcare can become our next global export,” he added.
He also called for widening the scope of Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), citing the alarming rise in non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders and cancers, especially among younger populations. India, he said, needs a health insurance model that prioritises preventive care over procedures.
Urging policy support for preventive healthcare, Dr Purohit sought enhanced tax incentives, including separate and higher tax benefits for OPD services and preventive health screenings beyond the current limits under Section 80D.
“Industry reports show that preventive care reduces hospitalisations and improves health outcomes, while significantly lowering long-term treatment costs,” he said.
Pharmaceutical industry experts, who participated in the programme, called for sharper investment in healthcare infrastructure, research and emerging technologies to strengthen India’s health ecosystem.
They demanded higher allocations for the Ministry of AYUSH, GST exemption for essential AYUSH generics, capital subsidies for GMP upgrades, support for global regulatory approvals, insurance coverage for AYUSH treatments and incentives for wellness centres.
TNT TS
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