Nagpur: The
Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of preventive healthcare and health infrastructure in country. Doctors in
Vidarbha and experts from various health related fields are hoping that the
budget allocation for health will increase significantly.
“Inadequate healthcare infrastructure and our limitations came to fore during the pandemic. So, it is being expected that the allocation for healthcare would be around 2% to 2.25% of GDP at least this year,” said Dr Rajesh Deshpande, a physician who also holds a degree in business and financial management.
As far as common people are concerned, many want Central government to provide Covid-19 vaccine free for all on the lines of Polio vaccine. “Finance minister should announce that every citizen will get free Covid-19 vaccine which will eventually end the pandemic,” said Dipti Patel, a homemaker.
The Vidarbha Hospital Association (VHA) is expecting some much-needed incentives from the Centre. “Not only public hospitals, but private hospitals have worked relentlessly through the pandemic. We expect a major boost for the healthcare sector,” said Dr Ashok Arbat, president of VHA. He suggested that the government should mark health services with ‘zero rating’ of GST.
Nagpur has emerged as healthcare hub of Central India and more allocation for Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana can bring big boost for AIIMS, Nagpur. As far as Vidarbha is concerned, patients from peripheries are dependent on government hospitals in medical colleges. A senior official from GMCH Nagpur said that Covid-19 has already given a facelift to many government hospitals and this should continue through Central assistance.
“Health is basically a state subject and it’s difficult for state-run hospitals to expect much from Central budget. But we can hope some unconventional step like a Centrally-funded scheme for state hospitals,” said the official.
Nagpur has a good presence of pharma manufacturing units and they are also expecting tax incentives. Pharmacists are demanding promotion of generic medicine shops, health workers wish to continue the Covid incentives they are getting, while academics want Centre to fulfil its promises made while scrapping Medical Council of India and establishing the National Medical Council .
HEALTHCARE
WISH LIST
- Higher spending for health care, more funds for Ayushman Bharat
- More funds for preventive health and wellness segment
- Tax incentives to private sector for modernizing medical facilities
- Investments to strengthen local manufacturing of medical devices, PPEs
- GST benefits for healthcare services as hospitals suffered losses during Covid-19
- More budget for mental health, more seats in psychology and psychiatry