Staff Reporter
Panaji
The Indian Medical Association, Goa State on Saturday said that the union healthcare budget for the financial year 2025-26 is a welcome steps towards the much needed reforms and a robust public healthcare system in the country.
“Proud to know that the Indian government has allocated Rs 99,858.56 crore for healthcare in FY 25-26, marking a 9.78% increase from the previous year,” said IMA Goa State President Dr Dattaram Desai. He said that the research in health grants has indeed seen a boost in the latest budget.
“The government has allocated Rs 20,000 crore to implement private sector-driven research, development, and innovation initiatives. This move aims to catalyze the next generation of startups and promote technological research in prestigious institutions like IITs and IISc,” he said.
IMA Goa State pointed out that the budget mentions the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for Education with a total outlay of Rs 500 crore.
“This centre will likely contribute to advancements in healthcare research and innovation,” said Dr Desai.
Former IMA Goa State President Dr Shekhar Salkar said the government plans to set up 10,000 new medical seats in colleges and hospitals, which will not only increase the number of healthcare professionals but also enhance research capabilities in the medical field.
“While the budget doesn’t provide a direct comparison to the previous year’s allocation for health research grants, these initiatives indicate a significant investment in promoting research, innovation, and development in the healthcare sector,” said Dr Salkar, who is also BJP Goa Medical Cell chief.
