Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman at a press conference has announced Rs 23,220 crore earmarked for one year for healthcare, with funding for short-term HR augmentation through medical students (interns, residents, final year) and nursing students; Increasing availability of ICU beds, oxygen supply at central, district and subdistrict level; Ensuring adequate availability of equipment, medicines; access to teleconsultation; ambulance services; and Enhancing testing capacity and supportive diagnostics, strengthen capacity for surveillance and genome sequencing.

Rs 1.10 lakh crore Loan Guarantee Scheme for COVID Affected sectors has been announced. Under this new scheme, additional credit of Rs 1.1 lakh crore will flow to the businesses. This includes Rs 50,000 crore for health sector and Rs 60,000 crore for other sectors, including tourism.

Rs 50,000 crore relief for the health sector is aimed at up scaling medical infrastructure targeting underserved areas. It guarantees cover for expansion and new projects related to health/medical infrastructure in cities other than 8 metropolitan cities.

FM has also announced that Rs 15,000 crore emergency health systems project led to 25 fold increase in coroanvirus dedicated hospitals, setting up of 7,929 Covid health centres, 9,954 Covid care centre, 7.5 times increase in oxygen supported beds, 42 fold increase in isolation beds, 45 fold increase in ICU beds.

There is also a new scheme focused on short term emergency preparedness with special emphasis on children and paediatric care/paediatric beds.

A total relief package of Rs 6,28,993 crore has been announced by Nirmala Sitharaman to support Indian economy in fight against COVID-19 pandemic. 

"Measures announced by FM will enhance public health facilities, especially in under-served areas, boost private investment in medical infrastructure and augment critical human resources. Special focus is on strengthening healthcare facilities for our children", tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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