Prime Highlights:
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announces five regional medical hubs and three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda to strengthen healthcare and promote medical tourism.
- The government will launch training programs for multi-skilled caregivers and expand allied health institutions to create jobs and improve care services.
Key Facts:
- The medical hubs will include Ayush centres, diagnostic facilities, and post-care rehabilitation, creating new employment opportunities for healthcare workers.
- As part of Kartavya 2.0, the government plans to add 1 lakh allied health professionals over the next five years and upgrade existing healthcare infrastructure.
Background:
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced the setting up of five regional medical hubs to strengthen India’s healthcare and wellness sector as part of the Union Budget 2026-27. The initiative aims to promote India as a global medical tourism destination while creating employment opportunities across the healthcare ecosystem.
“These medical hubs will include Ayush centres, advanced diagnostic facilities, and post-care rehabilitation services,” Sitharaman said while presenting her ninth consecutive Union Budget. “They will not only strengthen healthcare access but also generate diverse job opportunities for medical service providers.”
In addition to the medical hubs, the Finance Minister announced the establishment of three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda to meet growing global demand for Ayurveda products and services. The move is expected to benefit farmers who cultivate medicinal herbs, while enhancing India’s export potential in traditional healthcare products.
The Budget also plans to upgrade Ayush pharmacies and drug testing labs and improve the WHO Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, to support research on traditional medicine.
Under Kartavya 2.0, the government will build new allied healthcare institutions in both public and private sectors. These will cover ten key areas, including optometry, radiology, anesthesia, OT technology, applied psychology, and behavioral health. The initiative aims to add one lakh trained allied health professionals over the next five years.
The Finance Minister also announced training programs to prepare multi-skilled caregivers. These programs will teach basic care, wellness, yoga, and the use of helpful devices to build a strong system for elderly and allied health services.
With these plans, the government aims to modernize healthcare, support farmers, and provide skilled jobs, connecting growth with health and wellness.
