Union Budget 2025-26: Here are the key challenges in health care sector

Key challenges

  > Insufficient infrastructure and inequitable distribution of hospital beds, with around 65 per cent of beds located in metro or Tier-I cities

> Low health care expenditure at about 2.1 per cent of GDP for FY23, compared to both developing and developed nations

> Dependence on imports for high-end medical devices and equipment

> Shortage of skilled human resources, particularly in Tier-II cities 

> High out-of-pocket health care expenses 

 

Industry ask

 

> Revise government scheme rates with incentives based on hospital infrastructure, accreditation and outcomes 

> Adopt a  'single window' regulatory system to facilitate investments

> Enhance digital health and accelerate Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission deployment

> Implement targeted GST reforms in health care and health insurance sectors

> Provide health care access to the missing ‘middle population’, which currently is without health insurance