Budget 2026: Sitharaman proposes 5 medical hubs, 3 new Ayurveda institutes
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New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a major push for healthcare and medical tourism in her Union Budget 2026-27 presentation on Sunday, proposing five regional medical hubs across India to position the country as a global destination. These hubs will feature Ayush centres, diagnostic infrastructure, and post-care rehabilitation facilities while creating diverse job opportunities for medical service providers.
Presenting her ninth consecutive budget, Sitharaman also proposed establishing three new All India Institutes for Ayurveda to meet rising global demand, noting that exporting quality Ayurvedic products would benefit farmers growing medicinal herbs. She outlined plans to upgrade Ayush pharmacies and drug testing labs, alongside enhancing the WHO Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, to strengthen evidence-based research on traditional systems.
The initiatives fall under the second 'Kartavya' pillar aimed at fulfilling public aspirations and building capacity. They include upgrading institutions for allied health professionals, launching new public and private AHPI institutions covering disciplines like optometry, radiology, anesthesia, OT technology, applied psychology, and behavioral health, and adding 1 lakh such professionals over five years. Sitharaman also envisioned a robust care system for geriatric and allied sectors, plus NSQF-aligned programs to train multiskilled caregivers incorporating wellness, yoga, and assistive devices.
(Inputs from IANS)