Union Budget 2021: What the health sector wants from Nirmala Sitharaman

On the lines of cancer care, which is given national importance, renowned cardiologist Dr CN Manjunath, director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, also pitches for the same status to heart diseases as 25% of deaths in India are attributed to heart diseases. 

Ahead of the Union Budget on February 1 2021, Dr CN Manjunath pointed out that in addition to Union government’s steps of funding of hospital construction in various states, it should also focus on the creation of posts and also fund it. 

He said in the Union budget, the state government cardiac centre should also be given sufficient funds. 

Since the AIIMS Delhi is catering by and large to the population from UP, MP, Bihar, Haryana Punjab, the government should come up with another AIIMS in the national capital to bring down the load on the existing one. 

This apart, the focus should be on research sector as well. 

As some of the diseases are being treated with emerging technology, and devices that are expensive, Dr Manjunath suggests that the government revise the cost of these devices annually as it can offer better treatment for the poor and can hope to afford it without much difficulties and procedural delays in treatment.