Budget to spend Rs 2.84 trillion on health, raising expenditure by 137%

Sitharaman has announced Rs 35,000 crore for Covid-19 vaccination this year

India will spend Rs 64,180 crore in over six years on a programme to improve its health infrastructure, said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday as she presented the Union Budget 2021-22. 

The budget for "health and wellness" is Rs 2,83,846 crore (Rs 2.83 trillion)--137 per cent greater than last year.

Check Budget live updates here

"The investment on health infrastructure in this budget has increased substantially. Progressively, as institutions absorb more, we shall commit more. We focus on strengthening three areas - preventive, curative and well-being," she said in Parliament.

Check Budget latest news here

Health and well-being; infrastructure; inclusivity; human capital; innovation; minimum governance—these are the "six pillars" of Budget,” she said.

She announced a programme called Pradhan Mantri Atma Nirbhar Swastha Bharat Yojna with Rs 64,180 crore to be spent over six years for improving primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare. Rs 35,000 crore will spend for Covid-19 vaccines this year.