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Budget 2026's Health Push: Biopharma Mission, Mental Health Hubs & More

Minister of State Anupriya Patel stated that the Union Budget 2026 has made comprehensive provisions for the nation's health sector. Key initiatives include a Rs 10,000 crore Biopharma Shakti Mission to boost manufacturing and self-reliance. The budget also plans for new mental health institutes in the north, training for allied and geriatric care professionals, and duty waivers on critical drugs. Additionally, it aims to establish regional medical hubs to promote medical value tourism.

Key Points: Budget 2026 Health Provisions: Biopharma, Mental Health, Geriatric Care

  • Rs 10,000 crore Biopharma Shakti Mission
  • New NIMHANS-like mental health institutes in North India
  • Training for 1 lakh geriatric care professionals
  • Customs duty waiver on 24 critical drugs
  • Creation of 10,000 Allied Health Professionals
2 min read

Every necessary provision for maintaining India's health made in Budget 2026: Anupriya Patel

Union Budget 2026 focuses on health with a Rs 10,000 crore Biopharma Mission, new mental health institutes, and training for allied health professionals.

"Every necessary provision for maintaining the health of India has been made in this budget. - Anupriya Patel"

New Delhi, Jan 1

The Union Budget 2026 has made every necessary provision for maintaining the health of India, said Minister of State Anupriya Patel on Sunday.

Speaking to IANS, Patel noted that the Budget, presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, laid special focus on health, pharma, and chemicals.

"India has progressed on the path of self-reliance, and no sector is untouched by it today," Patel said.

Hailing the Biopharma Shakti Mission of Rs 10,000 crore, the MoS stated that it will help "India to become a manufacturing hub of biopharma in the coming time, which means it is a big step towards self-reliance".

Patel noted that in view of the increasing need and demand for allied health professionals in the coming time, in the next five years, 10,000 Allied Health Professionals will be created in the country, and new institutes will also be established.

"To strengthen geriatric care, one lakh multi-skilled care professionals will also be trained under the provisions of this budget," the Minister said.

In addition, to promote medical value tourism, five regional medical hubs will be established in the country, in which, through collaboration between the state governments and our provision sector, education, clinical care, and research facilities will be available for the common people and our patients.

"Most importantly, till now, only one institute to address mental health challenges in the country existed in South India, which we know as NIMHANS, which has a great reputation in the entire country. For the convenience of the people of North India, who are facing mental health challenges, we have decided to set up another NIMHANS through this budget, in Sati, Tezpur, and Ranchi," Patel said.

Noting that the existing mental health insurance will also be improved, she hailed the waiving of customs duty on 17 cancer and 7 rare disease drugs.

"I am happy that the Finance Minister has accentuated the basic customs duty on cancer drugs and rare disease drugs in this Budget and has also made provisions to strengthen emergency and trauma care in our district hospitals. Overall, every necessary provision for maintaining the health of India has been made in this budget. We thank the Finance Minister very much for taking care of the health of the country in this budget," Patel told IANS.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good announcements on paper. But the real test is implementation. We've heard big numbers before for health missions. Will the 10,000 crore for Biopharma actually reach the right startups and researchers, or get stuck in bureaucracy? Hope this time it's different.
A
Aditya G
Waiving customs duty on cancer and rare disease drugs is a huge relief for countless families. The cost of treatment is crippling. This, along with strengthening district hospital trauma care, addresses critical gaps. A budget that seems to understand ground realities for once.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has worked in public health, creating 10,000 Allied Health Professionals is ambitious and necessary. The success will depend on the quality of the new institutes. We need skilled technicians and nurses, not just numbers. The focus on medical value tourism hubs could also be a big economic driver if done right.
K
Karthik V
"Every necessary provision" is a very strong claim. What about the primary health centres in villages? Many still lack basic doctors and medicines. Big institutes and hubs are good, but the foundation needs equal attention. The budget should also ensure existing schemes like Ayushman Bharat are fully funded and functional.
M
Meera T
The Biopharma Shakti Mission is the standout for me. Making India a manufacturing hub means more jobs, cheaper medicines, and less dependence on imports. This is true Aatmanirbharta. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳

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