Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Union Budget 2024 in Parliament, announced exemption in customs duty on three additional cancer drugs, aimed at reducing the financial burden on patients.

The Health Minister also elaborated on the changes made in the basic customs duty (BCD) on X-ray tubes and flat panel detectors used in medical X-ray machines under the phased manufacturing programme to “enhance domestic production capacity.”

These measures are part of the Government’s comprehensive strategy aimed at enhancing the affordability and accessibility of healthcare while supporting local manufacturing and innovation in the medical sector.

The establishment of new medical colleges in Bihar was also announced in the Parliament.

During the Interim Budget 2024 in February, Sitharaman announced expanding healthcare coverage under the Ayushman Bharat scheme to include ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers and helpers. The U-WIN platform will be implemented across the country to manage vaccination and Mission Indradhanush.

Sitharaman also encouraged girls aged 9 to 14 in India to get vaccinated against cervical cancer.