The Union Budget announced by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 1 February provides relief for cancer and rare disease patients. 36 life-saving drugs have been fully exempted from basic customs duty.
37 more medicines and 13 new patient assistance programs have also been exempted from the basic customs duty. However, six life-saving drugs have a five percent duty.
“To provide relief to patients, especially those suffering from cancer and rare diseases, I propose 36 life-saving drugs in fully exempted custom duties,” Sitharaman said while presenting her eighth consecutive Union Budget.
The minister announced 10,000 additional seats in medical colleges. “10,000 additional seats to be added in medical colleges next year and 75,000 seats to be added in next five years. All district hospitals to have daycare cancer centres. About 200 daycare cancer centres will be established in 2025-26,” she said.
Broadband connectivity will be provided to all government secondary schools and primary healthcare centres. Gig workers will get healthcare facilities under the PM Jan Aarogya Yojana (PM-JAY)
