The Union Budget 2025-26 marks a significant milestone for the healthcare sector, with health experts lauding its potential benefits for cancer patients.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her eighth consecutive budget and the NDA government’s second full Union Budget of its third term in Parliament. She announced the addition of 10,000 seats in medical colleges and the establishment of daycare cancer centers in all district hospitals.
The Finance Minister also announced exemptions on basic customs duty for 36 life-saving drugs, aimed at providing relief to patients suffering from cancer, rare diseases, and other severe chronic diseases.
“The Union Budget 2025-26 marks a significant milestone for the healthcare sector, with its central focus on Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and ease of doing business. It also underscores the crucial role of private sector collaboration in making healthcare a foundational pillar of Viksit Bharat,” said Abhay Soi, President of NATHEALTH.
According to the latest cancer statistics, head and neck cancers (including oral and throat cancer), breast cancer, and gynecological cancers account for nearly 70% of the cancer burden in India. “For the majority of these cases, first-line chemotherapy can be effectively administered at well-equipped daycare centers with proper training and support. This approach will help manage a substantial portion of the country’s cancer load,” said Dr. D S Rana, Chairman of the Trust Board at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
Raj Gore, CEO and Lead of the FICCI Cancer Task Force, stated that “full exemption of customs duty on 36 life-saving drugs, including cancer medications, will lower the cost of critical treatments, making them more accessible to a wider range of patients.”
“Daycare cancer centers in district hospitals will help bridge the gap in accessibility, especially in rural and remote areas,” Gore added.
Dr. Sabine Kapasi, a public health expert, mentioned that while the increase in medical seats is a welcome move, enhancing quality standards and optimizing the existing system is crucial for long-term improvements in healthcare delivery.
The Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) expressed disappointment with the Budget, stating that no investment promotion measures for the 70% imports-dependent medical devices sector were included. “No investment promotion measure for the 70% imports dependent medical devices sector in the Budget speech is disappointing,” said Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator AiMeD, while appreciating the overall macro-economic and policy direction measures.
“The initiative to simplify visa procedures for patients seeking treatment in India will further enhance the country’s medical tourism sector and will enhance cross-border flow of patients and healers, expanding the market,” said Pavan Choudary, Chairman of the Medical Technology Association of India (MTai).
The Budget’s focus on Public-Private Partnerships and exemptions on life-saving drugs mark a significant step forward for India’s healthcare sector, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving access and affordability for patients across the nation.
