India is on a fast growth path and it is time that all our citizens have access to affordable and quality healthcare. For this to happen, the government has to play a strong supportive role. I am sure this budget will set a strong foundation for a vibrant healthcare system for our country. Here is a wishlist: 1) Keeping the macro scenario in view, government expenditure on healthcare should be doubled to 2% of the GDP with a focus on primary healthcare and public health in semi-urban and rural areas. 2) The impetus given earlier to promote new private healthcare facilities in tier 2 and tier 3 towns by giving a 5 year tax holiday has failed to excite the industry and we expect that in line with the thinking in earlier budgets, this will be extended to 10 to 15 years. 3) Creation of healthcare infrastructure and getting returns involve long gestation. It is thus necessary that this sector, given the pressing need for adding bed capacity in the country, is recognized as a priority sector leading to easy availability of funding. 4) Employees in the organized sector in India can also be mandated to provide healthcare insurance cover to their families through group medical insurance cover. This will help growth of health insurance which is yet to make any major headway in the country. 5) As a step towards universal health insurance, the private health insurance sector should be provided subsidies to encourage them to rapidly enhance penetration. 6) There is a huge shortage of doctors, nurses and trained paramedical staff today and the situation will only worsen with the commissioning of new and expansion of current hospitals. Medical education policy needs to change to encourage increase in quantity and quality of medical personnel.
Dr. Amit Varma, President, Healthcare, Religare Enterprises Ltd
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