The Union Budget 2024 has allocated ₹90,959 crore to the health sector, reflecting a substantial 12.6% increase from the previous year. The budget prioritizes the Department of Health and Family Welfare with ₹87,657 crore and the Department of Health Research with ₹3,302 crore.
Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY Funding
Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY, which offers a health cover of ₹5 lakh to 12 crore poor and vulnerable families, received ₹7,300 crore, up by ₹500 crore from last year’s ₹6,800 crore. Despite this increase, the plan to include all senior citizens above 70 years in the scheme remains unfunded. An official commented, “The expansion must be approved by the Union Cabinet, and ..and there must be a special provision to allocate funds for this purpose. It will take time.”
