Pre-budget expectations, Dr Harish Pillai, CEO, Aster India

“For India to become a superpower, we need to increase budget allocation to the healthcare sector by up to 5% of GDP, spread across 3 years. This will reinforce the roadmap laid by National Health Policy on up-gradation of Indian healthcare ecosystem especially infrastructure and human resources. The 5% allocation, should focus on public health issues, mainly preventive health, improving wellness centres announced as part of Ayushmaan Bharat, Universal Immunisation Program, infrastructure and other health aspects like Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, Open Defecation Free Country, improving access to potable drinking water, Ujjwala scheme (LPG Scheme) etc.

Declaring Healthcare as a strategic sector like agriculture, which will help the sector get access to credit as much lower interest rates. One of the biggest heart burns for hospitals is that the cost of debt financing is extremely high which creates other operational issues and challenges. If the debt is as low as what is given in the agriculture sector, it will improve the viability and more investments will flow to create infrastructure. Income tax incentives for investment in electronic health records or HIS of various hospitals should be implemented under the National Digital Health Program, at a proposed 250% deduction on the investment made.”

MB Bureau