"The budget should incentivise the private sector to improve medical facilities in Tier II and III cities and rural areas to bridge the healthcare urban-rural divide. The government should roll out programmes to train new and up-skill the existing manpower to address the shortage of skilled manpower in the healthcare sector. The government should also consider “zero-rating” of GST on healthcare services and the lowest rate of GST on drugs, medical devices, and health insurance premiums to improve affordability. Rationalising the import duty on healthcare equipment is also required. Tax incentives should be provided for investment in R&D for genetic research and genome mapping which can go a long way in supporting the National Digital Health Mission in the early identification of genetic traits and intervention in the prevention of major NCDs. Last but not the least, the government should increase budgetary allocation for the promotion of digital healthcare to improve access in rural and remote areas. This will not only reduce the burden on our limited healthcare facilities, but also the cost burden on the patients."
