UNION BUDGET 2023-24

WHAT THE INDUSTRY WANTS FROM THE FINANCE MINISTER

In the aftermath of Covid-19, Government of India focused on building health infrastructure through schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) with a rise in allocated budgetary spending of nearly 43 percent. The government also laid emphasis on Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure. Mission, Digitalization, PLI scheme, and Pandemic Research, and so on. With Covid-19 no more a serious challenge, what is it that the healthcare sector looking is for in this year's Union Budget 2022-23?

We invited responses from the leaders in the healthcare sector. Here is a collection of some of the significant demands listed out by stakeholders across different segments of the healthcare industry.

A Ganesan, Group Vice President, Neuberg Diagnostics

• Consider higher Income Tax allowance for payment made under Annual Health Check under section 80D.

• Payment delays by Government entities like CGHS, NHS, ESI Hospitals, etc., is a major issue faced by hospitals and diagnostic centers. The lab industry faces working capital difficulties due to delayed remittances. We request the FM to address this.

• Today, all the input costs of healthcare units are subjected to GST but the output services aren't so they cannot avail of ITC. Levying 4% GST on output services will provide some relief.

Aakash Sachdev, Director of ASG Eye Hospitals (ASG) and Managing Director of Foundation Holdings

• Increase the allocation for healthcare skill development to ensure supply of trained talent and for service standardization.

• Incentivize the private sector to invest in rural areas. Make policies that encourage public-private partnerships in healthcare.

• Access to quality healthcare is the basic right and the Union Budget 2023 should increase the allocation towards the healthcare sector to achieve this.