New Delhi: The Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2024 to the parliament on July 23. This is Sitharaman’s seventh consecutive Budget where she drew a roadmap to achieve PM Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. In this Budget, the government has focused on employment, skilling, MSMEs, and the middle-class population. Prime Minister’s package of 5 schemes and initiatives for employment, skilling and other opportunities for 4.1 crore youth over 5 years with a central outlay of 2 lakh crore. This year, provision of ₹ 1.48 lakh crore has been made for education, employment and skilling.
Under the health category in budget 2024, the Finance Minister mentioned about exemption of basic custom duty for three cancer treatment medicines. Moreover, to provide some relief to cancer patients, changes have been announced in the BCD on X-ray tubes and flat panel detectors for use in medical X-ray machines, also announced in the Budget speech.
How healthy is the Health Budget? Expert reactions
According to Jyotsna Govil, Chairperson of the Indian Cancer Society, Delhi Branch, “Our Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has relieved the cancer patients by announcing the cancer treatment medicines. The exemption of customs duty on three cancer medicines is a significant step forward. Also, the initiative and public investment in digital infrastructure and innovations will vastly improve access to essential health services for people in Tier 2, Tier 3 and rural areas. The government’s commitment to healthcare will provide much-needed support to countless cancer patients across the country.”
“While presenting the Union Budget 2024-25 in Parliament on Tuesday, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made a pivotal announcement that three cancer treatment medicines will be exempted from basic customs duty. This decision is a crucial step in addressing the rising challenge of chronic diseases, particularly cancer, which is emerging as a significant public health problem in India. By exempting these essential drugs from customs duties, the government aims to make life-saving treatments more affordable and accessible to patients. This move reflects a strong commitment to public health and aims to alleviate the financial burden on families affected by cancer. Sitharaman’s announcement is expected to significantly improve healthcare outcomes and support the fight against chronic diseases, ensuring that patients receive timely and effective treatments without the added strain of high medical costs,” added Dr Kunal Sehgal, Managing Director and Chief Pathologist, Neuberg Sehgal Path Lab.
Budget 2024 aims to make life-saving medications more affordable
While presenting the Union Budget 2024-25 in Parliament on Tuesday, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a significant healthcare reform, stating that three crucial cancer treatment medicines will be exempted from basic customs duty. Dr Kunjal Patel, molecular oncopathologist, at Neuberg Centre for Genomic Centre shared ” shared with News9, “This move aims to make life-saving medications more accessible and affordable for patients battling cancer, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving public health. The exemption is expected to enhance the overall quality of healthcare and support the fight against cancer across the nation.”
Union Budget 2024 Big Announcements on Health | Under the health category in budget 2024, the Finance Minister mentioned about exemption of basic custom duty for three cancer treatment medicines. Moreover, to provide some relief to cancer patients, changes have been announced in the BCD on X-ray tubes and flat panel detectors for use in medical X-ray machines, also announced in the Budget speech. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
