Govt plans Rs 50,000 cr programme to boost health infrastructure: Report

Programme will reportedly allow companies to access funds for ramping up hospital capacity or medical supplies with the government acting as a guarantor

India is considering offering as much as Rs 500 billion ($6.8 billion) of credit incentives to boost health care infrastructure in the nation hit by the coronavirus pandemic, according to people familiar with the matter.

The program will allow companies to access funds for ramping up hospital capacity or medical supplies with the government acting as a guarantor, said the people, who asked not to be identified citing rules. The focus is likely to be on strengthening Covid-19 related health infrastructure in smaller towns, they said.

A finance ministry spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment.

An explosive outbreak