Health is wealth: Protection schemes launched

With emphasis on social welfare for the citizens coupled with a focus on health and environment the Union Budget can  also be vital for the city in tackling challenges on social parameters. 

In focusing on the healthcare system of the country, the Finance Minister introduced a health protection scheme under which Rs 1 lakh per family would be provided and for those who are 60 years and above, a top-up package up to 30,000 will be given. 

With many patients coming to Delhi for treatment, the health insurance can bring in relief not only to patients but also to hospitals. In one of the statements made by Dr M C Mishra, Director of AIIMS, said that how in the absence of health insurance to many patients, institutions like AIIMS which provide subsidised healthcare often exhaust its budget.

With an objective to provide affordable medicines, 3,000 generic drug stores will be opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojna.  The initiation of national dialysis services programme and exemption of duties on dialysis devices can also prove to be useful for patients for all classes. With lifestyle diseases in the city on the rise, the Finance Minister stated that the patient spending Rs 2,000 per session and Rs 3 lakh annually will now have less difficulty in paying his bills. 

Under the programme every district hospital will have the facilities of renal dialysis, so that people do not have to travel to the expensive hospitals of metro cities. With the exemption of cess on Nirmaya scheme, the FM has also upheld the interests of patients suffering from autism, mental retardation and multiple disabilities.

Dr K K Aggarwal of the Indian Medical Association said the Budget have some very good initiatives and now the key would be implementation. Dr Aggarwal also highlighted that he too has seen many in the national Capital giving up their LPG subsidies so that others’ might benefit.  

Jaitley acknowledged the increasing pollution levels in the city and introduced cess charge of 1 per cent on petrol vehicles, 2.5 per cent  on diesel vehicles and 4 per cent on SUVs. The garbage and sanitation  crisis in the city can also have a solution. With 9,000 crore allocated to Swachh Bharat campaign, creating composts out of garbage and improving the drainage may prove beneficial for Delhi.