Budget 2020-21 wishlist: Here are the key challenges in Healthcare sector

• Relative increase in NCD burden proportion
• Returns lower than cost of capital
• Lack of skilled human resource impedes healthcare delivery especially in tier 2, 3 cities and rural areas 
• Imports of medical devices and equipment leads to forex loss and lack of country-specific innovations 
• Continuing low reimbursement rates under PMJAY
• Delay in notification of e-Pharmacy rule continues to cause confusion
• Shortage of beds, especially in rural areas, coupled with low spend on healthcare

 

 

Industry-ask

• Need fiscal concessions. This could be in the form of low cost financing and flexible interest interventions
• Implement single-window clearance
• Move healthcare from the exemption list to 0% listunder GST
• Dedicated land bank at affordable rates and accessible locations to set up medical facilities 
• Finalise and implement data privacy law
• A dedicated fund for healthcare start-ups
• Adequate budgetary allocation to Ayushman Bharat and improve participation
• Mandate PPP in other clinical procedures and hospitals
• Revisit incentives for domestic manufacturing of medical equipment channels