Union Budget 2025: Mixed Reactions from Dr. Ranga Reddy Burri on Healthcare Initiatives
The Union Budget 2025, while introducing some promising measures in areas like nutrition, digital health, and cancer care, has been criticized for falling short in crucial areas such as disease prevention, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) control, and financial protection for citizens. Dr. Ranga Reddy Burri, President of the Infection Control Academy of India, shared his insights on the budget’s strengths and shortcomings.
Dr. Burri highlighted several positive aspects of the budget. Encouraging nutrition through the promotion of Shree Anna (millets), vegetables, and fruits is a step toward a healthier and more sustainable diet. The expansion of the BharatNet project to Primary Health Centres (PHCs) is expected to improve digital health records and provide telemedicine services to remote areas. Additionally, duty exemptions for cancer medicines and the establishment of 200 day-care centres aim to ease the burden on cancer patients. A 12.9% increase in the health budget, amounting to ₹90,958.63 crore, also signals a growing commitment to public health.
However, Dr. Burri expressed disappointment over the lack of focus on disease surveillance and prevention. He noted that while investing in cancer centres is commendable, early screening and prevention—far more cost-effective—have been overlooked. He also raised concerns about the absence of a clear strategy or funding to combat AMR, describing it as a “ticking time bomb.” Strengthening primary healthcare, a critical need for accessible and affordable care, remains neglected, he added. Furthermore, no significant measures were introduced to reduce healthcare costs, leaving many citizens vulnerable to financial hardships.
Dr. Burri also pointed out some concerning aspects of the budget, referring to them as the “ugly” side. The plan to increase 10,000 medical seats without adequate faculty and infrastructure risks compromising the quality of education. He warned that expanding institutions without proper quality control could result in undertrained doctors, potentially weakening the future of Indian healthcare.
In conclusion, Dr. Burri emphasized the need for a more balanced approach to healthcare. While the budget makes strides in certain areas, it lacks the comprehensive measures needed to build a resilient healthcare system and realize the goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
