Health Minister hails General Budget; calls it visionary, forward looking Health protection scheme, National Dialysis Service and 3000 Jan Aushadhi stores to expand coverage of health services

Health Minister hails General Budget; calls it visionary, forward looking

Health protection scheme, National Dialysis Service and 3000 Jan Aushadhi stores to expand coverage of health services

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri J P Nadda applauded the Union Budget unveiled today by Shri Arun Jaitley, here today. The Budget 2016-17 is visionary, forward looking and progressive as it takes care of the aspirations, aims and goals of a cross-section of masses including the rural people, farmers, young people looking out for jobs and the vulnerable and marginal sections of the society; while also being targeted to the growth and development goals of the country," said Shri Nadda.

The Health Minister further added that the nine pillars of the Union Budget covering the rural sector, social sector including health and education, financial sector and the infrastructure sector are focussed on taking the country on a growth path which is holistic and comprehensive. The outlay of infrastructure is substantial and will result in the fast growth of the various types of infrastructure which is the engine for growth for the country, Shri Nadda stated.

Commenting on the schemes and outlay for the health sector, the Health Minister noted that: The budget has given the required impetus to the health sector and the Health Ministry is completely geared up to implement the schemes announced in the budget." He stated the new health protection scheme will provide the much required financial cover for the family with special focus on the senior citizens who have been provided an additional top-up package up to Rs. 30,000/-. He also stated that the opening of 3,000 Jan Aushadhi stores across the country which will provide affordable medicines to the people, is a people-centric move.

Shri Nadda stated that the National Dialysis Services Programme under which dialysis services will be provided in all district hospitals under the PPP mode will bring relief to a large section of the population. He stated that the proposal to exempt certain parts of dialysis equipment from basic customs duty, excise/CVD and SAD is a step in the right direction.