IMA welcomes certain provisions for health sector in the budget presented today but still lacks the necessary allocations to mitigate the problems faced by the community in regards to have an accessible,affordable,accountable and scientific health care.

Primary figures of allocation to health sector are not at all satisfactory- IMA had demanded minimum 3% of GDP for health.

Also an integrated & consolidated approach involving sanitation,drugs,nutrition dept under health is not considered.

1-IMA congratulates GOI for accepting IMA demand of setting more govt medical colleges by upgrading district hospitals, especially in unserved areas.

This is a welcome change in policy direction against the policy envisaged in NMC bill of unbridled privatisation of medical education.

Now IMA demands that 50% of seats in this govt medical colleges should be reserved for the students of that district with a rider to serve in the same district.This will help in availability of MBBS doctors in rural areas.

IMA will fully cooperate for smooth functioning of this govt medical colleges especially by providing faculty.

2- TB Program-

Budgetary support for TB patients is a welcome move.IMA  has been partnering the govt & will continue to do so in  END TB program. 

3- Aayushman Bharat scheme-

Even though the move to open 1.5 lacks health and wellness centres is a good move,the meagre allocation of 1200 crores translates to only Rs 80000 per centre !

Still IMA promises to support this move in a PPP model. 

4-  NATIONAL HEALTH PROTECTION SCHEME, covering up to 5 lakh per annum per family for secondary and tertiary hospitalization for 10 crore families . But fund allocation for the cause not mentioned.

Taking base of Maharashtra govt similar scheme, GOI will need more than Rs 10000 crores will be needed for payment of premium to provide insurance cover. 

More ever this scheme should include all small & medium hospitals so that all beneficiaries are really benefited.The past

experience is that such schemes only benefit private insurance companies. 

Patient should have the choice of selecting the doctor and hospital for his treatment. 5- Tax reliefs on premiums of health insurance is a welcome move.

Further comments can be made after looking at details  & fine print.

Regards 

Dr Ravi Wankhedkar
National President IMA