Health ministry gets 10% rise in allocation

The Union Health Ministry has been allocated Rs 1,06,530.42 crore in the Budget 2026-27, a 10 per cent hike over 2025-26, with the government proposing a scheme to support states in establishing five regional medical hubs in partnership with the private sector to promote India as a prime medical tourism destination.

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These hubs will serve as integrated healthcare complexes that combine medical, educational and research facilities, Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while presenting the Union Budget for 2026-27 on Sunday.

The minister said that existing institutions for Allied Healthcare Professionals (AHP) will be upgraded and new AHP institutions established in private and government sectors.

“This will cover 10 selected disciplines, including Optometry, Radiology, Anesthesia, OT technology, Applied Psychology and Behavioural Health, and add 100,000 AHPs over the next five years,” she said.

Sitharaman said that a strong care ecosystem, covering geriatric and allied care services, will be built and, in the coming year, 1.5 lakh caregivers will be trained in allied skills, such as wellness, yoga and operation of medical and assistive devices.

Of the Rs 1,06,530.42 crore allocated for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Rs 101,709.21 crore has been earmarked for the Department of Health and Family Welfare and Rs 4,821.21 crore for the Department of Health Research.