Hyderabad: Budget scalpel draws health experts' flak

Hyderabad: Although the total outlay for the healthcare sector in the budget had seen a jump from Rs 62,659 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 69,000 crore this time, experts say the allocation as a percentage of the gross budget value decreased when compared to last year.

Dr Kiran Madhala, medical expert and a senior doctor said that health budget was 2.38 per cent of the total budget in 2019-20 but this time it is only 2.27 per cent which means a reduction of Rs 3346 crore.

He also stated that allocation for research is less than 3 per cent of the total budget. Dr Kiran pointed out that the budget on development tools to prevent the outbreak of epidemic is also reduced from the previous budget which is strange considering the ongoing scare about coronavirus across the world.

National organ transplant programme, family welfare schemes, Ayush and PM Jan Arogya Yojana got lesser allocation when compared to the last year's budget, he said.

Meanwhile, Dr V Rakesh, president of Telangana Network Hospitals Association president pointed out that the Central budget allocation to Ayushman Bharat pales in comparison with what Telangana allocated for Aarogyasri Health Insurance scheme.

And Telangana network hospitals are content with the health insurance scheme being implemented in Telangana.