Healthcare Leaders Urge Focus on Prevention Ahead of Union Budget 2026

As India approaches the presentation of the Union Budget for 2026–27 on February 1, 2026, healthcare leaders are advocating for a shift towards preventive care and enhanced capacity building within the sector. They emphasize the need for policy continuity and a sustained focus on addressing the country’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases, rather than relying solely on high-profile announcements.

Public health spending in India has seen a steady increase over the past decade, bolstered by initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat and the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. These programs have expanded insurance coverage and improved healthcare infrastructure. Nevertheless, assessments from organizations like the World Health Organization and the World Bank indicate that significant challenges remain, including a shortage of trained medical personnel and uneven access to care, particularly in non-metropolitan areas.

Call for Comprehensive Reforms

Healthcare professionals are urging the upcoming budget to reflect a transition from merely expanding access to prioritizing quality and outcomes in healthcare delivery. Dr. Aashish Chaudhry, Managing Director at Aakash Healthcare, underscores the importance of long-term healthcare policy supported by continuous investment in human resources. He states, “While progress has been made in hospital infrastructure and insurance coverage, a deeper focus on healthcare policy and training is essential. The budget should emphasize the upskilling of doctors, nurses, and allied health staff.”

Dr. Chaudhry also highlights the necessity of strengthening medical education beyond urban centers. He advocates for targeted incentives for teaching hospitals, simulation-based training, and public-private partnerships to address workforce shortages in tier-2 and tier-3 regions. “A future-ready healthcare system depends on how well we prepare today’s medical workforce,” he adds.

Echoing this sentiment, Dr. N.K. Pandey, Chairman & Managing Director at Asian Hospital in Faridabad, points out that budgetary measures should support the expansion of secondary and tertiary care in underserved regions. He argues for tax incentives and improved access to financing for hospitals outside major cities, stating, “Preventive healthcare and early diagnosis must be integrated into primary healthcare.”

Addressing Lifestyle Diseases

As lifestyle-related health issues continue to rise, Dr. Pandey emphasizes the need for a shift in policy focus. He notes, “With the disease burden steadily increasing, the emphasis must shift towards conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses.” He also calls for investments geared towards enhancing disaster management strategies in healthcare, particularly concerning climate-related health emergencies.

Dr. Rajendra Patankar, CEO of Jupiter Hospital in Pune, reinforces the importance of preventive measures in healthcare policy. “The focus should shift from solely treating illness to preventing it,” he states, advocating for increased funding for screening programs and integrated care models.

Diagnostics providers are also advocating for affordability and decentralization. Dr. Ravi Kapoor, Founder and Director at City X-Ray & Scan Clinic, calls for the rationalization of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on diagnostic services to keep costs manageable for patients. He suggests that the budget should facilitate the establishment of diagnostic hubs in smaller cities to reduce travel burdens for patients seeking basic investigations.

From the MedTech sector, Rajneesh Bhandari, Founder of NeuroEquilibrium, emphasizes the need for support in clinical validation. He notes that India’s MedTech market is rapidly growing, with exports surpassing USD 4 billion and projected growth to USD 50 billion by 2030. He advocates for dedicated grants for clinical studies to enhance the global acceptance of Indian technologies.

The shortage of specialists in critical areas remains a pressing challenge. Dr. Vineet Malhotra, Head of Urology at VNA Hospital, highlights the gap between the demand for trained professionals and their availability. He recommends that the budget promote fellowship programs and skill-based training, particularly in high-demand specialties like urology and oncology.

Healthcare stakeholders are unified in their call for a budget that prioritizes prevention, sustainable investment, and system resilience. Ravi Vishwanath, Board Member of Narayana Health Insurance, notes that the challenges within India’s health insurance sector are often less about awareness and more about the consumer experience. He suggests that integrating insurance more closely with hospital services, supported by digital-first claims processes, could improve access and reduce hospitalizations.

Sriram Velliyur, Co-founder and CEO of Curapod, a health-tech startup, stresses the need for a forward-looking fiscal approach to strengthen primary care and manage non-communicable diseases. He highlights that these diseases account for nearly 65% of all deaths in India, driven by conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. “Recognising pain management as part of primary healthcare can significantly impact quality of life and healthcare costs,” he states.

In conclusion, as the budget countdown continues, healthcare leaders are advocating for a comprehensive approach that emphasizes preventive care, early screening, and technology-driven solutions. Enhanced public health spending and targeted incentives for medical innovation are seen as vital steps toward addressing the unmet needs within the Indian healthcare system. A budget that prioritizes these areas could significantly reduce the economic and social burdens of chronic diseases and fortify India’s healthcare infrastructure for future challenges.