Lok Sabha Question No. 404 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-20
Subject: Budget Allocation in Health Sector
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. D. Purandeswari, Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 404* TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 20 TH MARCH, 2026

## BUDGETALLOCATIONINHEALTHSECTOR

## *404. DR. D. PURANDESWARI: SHRISHRIRANGAPPACHANDUBARNE:

Will the MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the record allocation of Rs. 1.06 lakh crore for the health sector in the Union Budget 2026-27 reflects the Government ' s commitment for building a "future-ready" healthcare system, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the 10 per cent increase in the health budget aligns with the Government's stated goal of increasing public health expenditure to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2025-26, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the 67 per cent boost in funding for health infrastructure under PM-ABHIM is likely to effectively bridge the gap in critical care services in tier-2, tier-3 cities, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the establishment of five regional medical hubs is intended to promote India as a global destination for affordable, high-quality medical tourism, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the budget's "prevention-first" philosophy is the most effective strategy for reducing the long-term burden of non-communicable diseases on the economy, if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether these fiscal measures are intended to ensure wider access to quality healthcare services as part of the "Viksit Bharat" vision, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

- (a) to (f) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 404* FOR 20 TH MARCH, 2026

(a) to (f) Government of India is committed to provide to good quality health care services through increasing access, increasing affordability by lowering the cost of healthcare delivery and equity. Towards this, various schemes such as National Health Mission, Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, among others are being implemented through Department of Health & Family Welfare (DoHFW).

The Department has been allocated ₹1,01,709.21 crore in BE 2026-27, marking a 9.45% rise over RE 2025-26. The allocation under BE 2026-27 is 175% increase in comparison to BE allocation of FY 2014-15.

Government Health Expenditure (GHE) as a share of GDP has increased from 1.13% to 1.84% between 2014-15 and 2021-22. GHE includes expenditure on health by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (DoHFW and Department of Health Research), other Central Government Ministries (Defence, Labour & Employment, Mines, Railways, AYUSH, Science & Technology, Posts, Telecommunications, and Home Affairs etc), State/UT Governments, expenditure by urban and rural local bodies etc.

The allocation under Pradhan Mantri - Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) is aimed at strengthening health care infrastructure to effectively manage and respond to any future pandemics and outbreaks across the country through expansion of critical care blocks, integrated public health laboratories, district and sub-district hospitals, and other health infrastructure facilities.

To promote India as a hub for medical tourism services, Government of India, in the Union Budget 2026-27, has announced a Scheme to support States in establishing five Regional Medical Hubs, in partnership with the private sector.

The Department of Health and Family Welfare, under National Health Mission (NHM), provides technical and financial support to States/UTs for the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD). The programme focuses on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, screening, early diagnosis, referral, treatment, and health promotion for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). NP-NCD programme embodies the philosophy of ' prevention-first ' as an effective strategy for reducing the long-term burden of non-communicable diseases on the economy. The preventive aspect of NCDs is strengthened under Comprehensive Primary Health Care through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM) by promotion of wellness activities. In addition, the Eat Right India movement of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India encourages reduced intake of salt, sugar and trans-fats. Further, the Fit India movement of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and various Yoga-related activities undertaken by the Ministry of AYUSH also promote healthier lifestyles.

To attain the Viksit Bharat vision of ensuring wider access to quality healthcare services, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India has encouraged States to accord focus on various health sector initiatives for improving quality such as Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS), National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS), LaQshya (Labour room & Quality Improvement Initiative), MusQan (Quality improvement initiative of Child Health services), Kayakalp and Mera Aspatal etc.

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