Diagnostics companies hope to benefit from the focus on preventive healthcare in the Union Budget 2021, as this could encourage partnerships with the government, especially in tier 2 & 3 cities, to expand the reach of testing services
Ameera Shah, Promoter and MD, Metropolis Healthcare
An impetus could have motivated the sector further
An increase of 137 per cent YoY in outlay in the health and wellbeing sector showcases the government’s aim to create a Swasth Bharat, Swatch Bharat. It is also heartening to see a holistic view on health; taking into account, clean water, hygiene and sanitisation, vaccination, nutrition, and pollution.
The launch of PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojna and the much-needed push to set up primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare is most welcome and we hope the government partners with private healthcare to hasten this process and strengthen health services across the country. The plans to add critical care units, hospitals, 15 health emergency centers, four new national Institutes of Virology and connecting public testing labs is a step in the right direction. The private healthcare sector has showed immense commitment through the pandemic to save lives of citizens and an impetus could have motivated the sector further.
Investment of Rs 35,000 crore funds for the COVID-19 vaccine is a positive move in the country’s fight against the pandemic, however, testing of citizens will remain crucial in the coming months as the economy reopens to its fullest extent. The proposed National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill may enable the industry to thrive and realise its full potential by regulating the service standards and professionalising the nursing and midwifery services.