Centre outlines roadmap to strengthen health sector for Viksit Bharat 2047 at Delhi summit

The Centre has prepared a broad plan to make the health sector stronger, more accessible and modern if the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047 is to be achieved. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel presented the roadmap for the sector's next phase at the India Health Summit & Awards 2026 in New Delhi.

Patel said the dream of a Viksit Bharat will be fulfilled only if the country's citizens are healthy and everyone gets affordable, good-quality medical care.

Speaking as guest of honour, Patel said the government's health policies have changed significantly over the past 12 years. In the financial year 2013-14, the health budget was about Rs 37,000 crore. It has grown more than fourfold in the past 12 years. She said that as government spending on health has risen, the out-of-pocket expenditure people have to bear for treatment has come down from 64 per cent to about 43 per cent. She said the Ayushman Bharat scheme provides 62 crore citizens in the country with free treatment cover of up to Rs 5 lakh a year.

Patel said the government has begun using digital platforms to take health services to every home. The Ayushman Arogya Mandirs set up across the country now provide 12 types of services. The e-Sanjeevani telemedicine network is making it easy for people in rural areas to get advice from specialist doctors. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is being expanded on a large scale for clinical decision systems, drug discovery and the analysis of medical data. The number of AIIMS institutes in the country has been raised to 23, and AIIMS are also operating in Gorakhpur and Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh, she said.

Generic medicines are being made available at 70 to 80 per cent lower prices through Amrit pharmacies and Jan Aushadhi Kendras. The basic customs duty on 17 cancer drugs has been fully waived. Treatment for serious illnesses is being made easier. AI-based handheld X-ray devices are being used for TB elimination.

At the same conference, Delhi Health Minister Dr Pankaj Singh announced that the Delhi government will open four new hospitals next year so that people get good health facilities close to their homes. He said about 450 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have started in Delhi, offering around 100 types of tests.

At the session "Bridging Worlds: Integrating Ayush and Modern Medicine", Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav said there is no conflict between traditional and modern medical systems. Giving the right treatment according to the patient's needs should be the highest priority, he said. However, Jadhav said, how well each traditional treatment stands up to scientific criteria should also be properly examined.

At the event, 35 leading healthcare institutions, hospital networks and specialty chains from across the country were honoured for clinical excellence. The summit was held in association with Onextel Communication Media, with Novartis taking part as co-powered-by partner.