Union Budget 2024-25: Focus on Affordable Cancer Treatment and Healthcare Reforms

Cancer Drugs Exempted from Customs Duty:

• Trastuzumab Deruxtecan: For breast cancer treatment.
• Osimertinib: For lung cancer treatment.
• Durvalumab: For lung cancer and biliary tract cancer treatment.

These exemptions are expected to improve the affordability of these life-saving drugs.

Revised Customs Duty on X-ray Tubes and Flat Panel Detectors:

The revised duty rates are anticipated to enhance the domestic medical device sector by reducing costs and making advanced medical imaging more accessible and affordable.
Increased Budget for National Health Mission (NHM):

The budget expenditure for the National Health Mission (NHM) has been increased by approximately Rs 4,000 crore, from Rs 31,550 crore to Rs 36,000 crore. This increase aims to strengthen primary and secondary healthcare services and reduce the out-of-pocket expenditure for the public.

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Applications:
To drive productivity, business opportunities, and innovation, the budget proposes the development of DPI applications. These initiatives are expected to enhance various sectors, including credit, e-commerce, education, health, law and justice, logistics, MSME services, delivery, and urban governance.

Street Food Hubs Initiative:
The budget also includes a proposal to develop 100 weekly “haats” or street food hubs in select cities. This initiative aims to invigorate local economies and enhance the street food experience, contributing to urban development and community engagement.