The budget for health is so widely variable across the world based on the country, ruling government and its policies and priorities and the economic health of the state in general. However, health is such an un-debatable topic that demands as a fundamental right. But the spent on health is often taken as an expense that has no returns both at personal as well as policy maker’s level. In such a scenario the allocations for health in 2025 budget is heart-warming to the people of India and medical professionals in particular.

The fact that the budget allocation has gone up to 12% shows the increase in awareness and importance. Any sickness will affect the efficiency and the man hours specifically, reducing the productivity. Though this can affect GDP directly, no much significance is given as it is a hidden phenomenon. What appears on the top is the expense? Hence, the health budget must focus on prevention as well as effective treatments. On the other hand, the health burden on the society and also on the government is growing at a rapid pace for some known and many unknown reasons. The present budget has taken the progressive path finally considering all these facts that are impactful.

Primarily, the allocation of 12 % of budget for health is laudable. The concessions made for cancer drugs in terms of cost as well as availability are a welcome move and the need of the hour. Similar facility should be extended to the medical devices. The need for research cannot be over emphasised. It is high time that our internal research programmes particularly the translational ones must be encouraged. Drug discovery, repurposing and innovation, understanding our geographical, economical and societal needs will go a long way. But a systematic process to promote, regulate and monitor the quality research is mandatory. The logistics need to be simplified and should be process driven. Health insurance has come a long way yet needs to become quick, efficient and robust programme to take the whole country under its umbrella. Innovation of medical devices has to be given priority. At the same time statutory process should be made easy and quick.

The central government’s decision to allocate medical colleges to each district in the country is a noble idea. This will help even distribution of health care facilities, technology apart from addressing the financial implications. Enhancement of medical seats both in the under and post graduates is a good step to match the internationally accepted ratio of medical professionals in relation to the population.

This increase in phased manner should build the gaps in the health care delivery system.

Utilisation of AI (artificial intelligence and machine learning) is the most recent invention creating sufficient buzz around. This should be carefully implemented and monitored to avoid unwanted influences. Having said that, if well used, it will have phenomenal impact on overall Health system. The key areas it can make tremendous impact on big data analysis pertaining to disease burden, identifying the important gaps, planning health systems, implementing health care delivery systems, uniformity in execution across the country, monitoring the impact and quality at large, planning health care budgets, man power, systems and processes.

Overall, it can help improving the system including the medical education.

The current systems and policies need a radical change. The entire system should be focusing on addressing the present needs and be prepared for the future demands.

Overall, looking at the total health care needs of the country, the budget certainly falls short of objectives. But the progressive thinking and planning and execution step by step will ensure definitive progress. The current thinking of the government and the allocation of budgets is quite promising to lead the country on the healthy path that deserves a salute and a tribute. To keep pace with current developments and best standards across the globe we must address many things simultaneously. We can no longer be stuck in improving basic things alone. Basic issues should be addressed on priority, but current challenges and future needs are to be kept in mind and all issues should be addressed simultaneously rather than one after the other.