Industry leaders across healthcare, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and wellness have welcomed key announcements in the Union Budget 2026–27, highlighting its focus on healthcare infrastructure, medical tourism, affordable medicines and the expansion of AYUSH and preventive care.
Reacting to the Budget, Lt Gen Dr Vimal Arora (Retd), Chief Clinical Officer, Clove Dental, said it marked a progressive step for the healthcare sector. “The establishment of five regional medical hubs and the training of 1.5 lakh caregivers are welcome measures. While healthcare spending is nearing the 2.5 per cent of GDP target, the proposal for a high-powered committee for the service sector is particularly significant,” he said. He also welcomed the customs duty waiver on life-saving drugs, the focus on preventive care through the WHO Global Medical Centre upgrade and the expansion of medical education and digital health in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, which he said would help bridge the rural-urban healthcare divide.
Sanjaya Mariwala, Executive Chairman and Managing Director, OmniActive Health Technologies, said the Budget viewed healthcare “not as charity, but as an economic responsibility and a shared Kartavya.” He pointed to the intent to expand hospital infrastructure and bed capacity, while stressing the need to incentivise doctors to set up and run hospitals. “Large Indian companies should be encouraged to partner with hospitals and expand care networks beyond metros,” he said.
Mariwala also welcomed the push for AYUSH and Ayurveda, noting that global interest would be sustainable only if backed by quality, consistency and scientific validation. “Support for seeds, food processing, MSMEs and R&D provides a solid foundation for the nutraceutical sector. What matters now is execution speed—how quickly policies translate into real access and outcomes,” he added.
Dr Somnath Chatterjee, Chairman and Joint Managing Director, Suraksha Clinic & Diagnostics, said the Budget’s emphasis on mental health was timely and praised the reduction in duties on oncology drugs. However, he noted that private sector participation in healthcare could have been addressed more comprehensively.
Overall, the Union Budget 2026-27 signals a strong policy push towards expanding healthcare infrastructure, improving affordability and positioning India as a global hub for medical tourism and traditional medicine.
