Healthcare stocks gain after FM proposes flagship healthcare programme

Shares of four healthcare companies rose 0.01% to 3.4% at 12:43 IST on BSE after the finance minister in the budget announced Flagship National Healthcare protection scheme.

Healthcare Global Enterprises, Shalby, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise and Kovai Medical Center and Hospital rose by 0.01% to 3.4%.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 453.14 points or 1.26% at 35,620.50.

Finance Minister announced Aayushman Bharat programme under which 1.5 lakh centres will be set up to provide health facilities closer to home. Rs 1200 crore will be allocated for this programme

The government announced Flagship National Healthcare protection scheme, with approximately 50 crore beneficiaries. Up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization will be provided. It is claimed to be the world's largest government-funded healthcare programme.

Universal health coverage will be expanded after seeing the performance of the scheme.

Rs 600 crore is allocated for tuberculosis patients, at the rate Rs 500 per month during the course of their treatment.

Jaitley announced setting up of one medical college for every three parliamentary constituencies, with 24 New government medical colleges also being envisioned. Government also will work on upgrading hospitals to medical colleges.

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