Hyderabad: Deputy CM and Finance Minister Malu Bhatti Vikramarka has allocated Rs 1,239.3 crore to the Ministry of Health, Medical and Family Welfare, adding more than Rs 1,000 crore from 2024-25 in 2024-25.
Rajiv Aarogyasri, implemented under the Cheyutha initiative, has made a significant allocation, with its free medical coverage reaching Rs 1 million, doubled the previous Rs 5 million limit.
This will benefit the nine million families living below the poverty line. In addition, the cost of treatment for 1,375 medical procedures has increased by 20%, including 163 treatments, expanding the number of covered procedures to 1,835.
According to Aarogyasri, a allocation of 1,215 crore marks a 50% increase in funding and ensures uninterrupted health care for 284 million citizens. The government also claims that ensuring timely funding issuance under the National Health Mission (NHM) can obtain higher funding in the budget.
Free dialysis services will be available in 102 centres, benefiting 100,000 patients and reducing their financial burden by Rs 94.8 billion. To further expand these services, 95 new dialysis centers have been approved. In addition, 136 new ambulances have been deployed in Mandans, which lacks emergency services.
To strengthen medical education, 400 new MBBS seats have been introduced in the newly established medical school. 16 new nursing colleges and 28 Allied health science colleges will accommodate 2,640 students each year.
The historic Osmania Hospital will be modernized with an investment of Rs 27,000 crore. More than 27 acres of cutting-edge medical facilities will be developed to ensure improved healthcare infrastructure. The budget doesn’t mention what the old heritage building is going to do.
Warangal will be developed as a major hub for education and healthcare.
Commenting on budget allocation, doctors discussed the need for increased investment in primary. President Rahul K. Easter, Tjuda.
Indian Medical Association – Telangana calls for a state health board to oversee health care services, medical staffing and regulatory bodies to curb illegal practices. “Direct doctors and staff recruitment is crucial, with more than 2,500 vacancies affecting care, especially in rural areas,” said Dr. Dwarkanath Reddy, president of Ima Telangana.
“The budget lacks a separate allocation to prevent high epidemic disease Indian Institute of Control.
He added: “While we hope at least hope that the allocation recommended by NHP, if not 10%, the budget does show a positive direction for initiatives aimed at strengthening public health infrastructure. Effective utilization of these funds is crucial to ensure that health care reaches a majority through a strong major health system.”
Current allocations account for 4% of the budget, less than 8% of the National Health Policy (NHP) recommendations in 2017 and 6% of the World Health Organization.
