Health Budget 2016 gives indirect Health Benefits : IMA’s viewpoint @followcii @ficci_india #vikaskabudget

Health Budget 2016 gives indirect Health Benefits : IMA’s viewpoint

New Delhi, February 29, 2016: The following schemes in the health budget are health friendly, said Dr S S Agarwal – National President IMA, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal – Hony. Secretary General IMA & Dr. Vinay Aggarwal – Past National President, IMA

• Rs. 2000 Crore LPG universal coverage will reduce asthma and COPD in women in the rural areas.
• 3000 Jan Aushadhi Stores will provide cheaper medicine to the community.
• National Dialysis Services Programme will be launched. Tax exemptions given to certain dialysis equipments including basic custom and excise duty as well as CVD. A Dialysis Centre in every district will reduce kidney related mortality in 2.2 lakh rural patients.
• Rs. 2.18 Lakh Crore infrastructure development will lead to better communication and reduce road traffic accidents.
• 100 Crore for rural electrification will reduce health mortality and morbidity.
• 1 crore youth getting training in skill development will stimulate many of them to become health educators.
• Rs. 9000 Crore for Swachh Bharat will reduce diarrhoeal deaths.
• In the health sector, service tax has not been not included.
• For SC/ST and women start ups, 5000 Crores allocation will the help health industry as well.
• Increase in excise duties on various tobacco products other than beedi by 10-15% and by 3% on aerated drinks will improve health and promote a healthy lifestyle.
• Rs. 1,700 crores allocated for Skill India Mission under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna
• 100% FDI to be allowed in marketing of food products manufactured and produced in India
• Government’s new health protection scheme to provide health cover of Rs. 1 Lakh with a top up of Rs. 30,000 proposed for senior citizens

IMA’s main demand of allocating 2.5% of GDP to health has not been addressed