The Union Budget 2026 could be a defining moment for healthcare in India……

New Delhi/Jabalpur:  The Union Budget 2026 could be a defining moment for healthcare in India if it strengthens the entire patient journey, from prevention and early diagnosis to timely access to life-changing treatments. This budget will show if healthcare is treated as a growth sector or only as a welfare expense.

Healthcare sector seeks stronger funding for infrastructure, research and la st-mile access. From med-tech to AYUSH to genomics, the sector is aligned in seeking higher investment, stronger research support and policies that expand patient access, affordability and innovation.

Hospitals are under pressure, patient demand is rising, and medical education and
workforce capacity lag behind. Demand is rising, capacity is uneven, and global supply chains are unreliable. Small funding bumps will not alone fix this.

A Viksit Bharat will be built on a healthy youth and workforce- nearly one billion strong by 2047. A prevention first healthcare system, powered by mandatory check-ups, digitised records, and UPI-style
data portability, can unlock early risk detection, personalised care, and long-term productivity at scale. As India led the world in digital payments, preventive healthcare can be our next global export.

I seek the government’s attention for widening of Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (PMJAY). Given the alarming rise of non- communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular problems and cancers especially in young people, India needs a health insurance model that prioritizes preventive healthcare over procedures.

Promoting preventive healthcare through better tax incentives through policy measures that encourage preventive healthcare can significantly lower long-term treatment costs.

Industry reports indicate that preventive care reduces hospitalisations and improves health outcomes. Introducing separate and enhanced tax benefits for OPD services and preventive health screenings, beyond the current limits under Section 80D, would encourage wider adoption of preventive care.

There is a dire need for sharper investment in infrastructure, research and emerging technologies to strengthen the country’s health ecosystem.

Also enhanced allocation for the Ministry of AYUSH, GST exemption for essential AYUSH generics, capital subsidies for GMP upgrades and support for global regulatory approvals plus the need for insurance coverage for AYUSH treatments and incentives for wellness centres is there.

*Dr. Naresh Purohit-MD, DNB, DIH, MHA, MRCP(UK), is an Epidemiologist, and Advisor-National Communicable Disease Control Program of Govt. of India, Madhya Pradesh and several state Health organizations.                                                                                                                                                                                             Dr. Purohit is also Chief Advisor Hospitals Association  of India  and Chief Investigator  Association of Studies for Kidneycare.