The Union Budget 2025-26 has been widely welcomed as a significant milestone for India's healthcare sector, with a strong focus on public-private partnerships (PPP), ease of doing business, and the pivotal role of private healthcare in shaping Viksit Bharat.

Mr. Abhay Soi, President of NATHEALTH & Chairman and Managing Director of Max Healthcare, praised the budget’s emphasis on expanding medical education, launching the "Heal in India" initiative to promote medical tourism, and enabling 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in insurance. He also welcomed the decision to broaden PM-JAY (Ayushman Bharat) benefits to cover gig economy workers, an important step toward universal healthcare access.

The budget's focus on affordable cancer care and enhanced broadband connectivity for primary healthcare centers was also highlighted as a crucial measure to bridge the urban-rural healthcare divide. Mr. Soi emphasized that the government's support for these initiatives reflects a commitment to enhancing ease of doing business in the healthcare sector and fostering a robust ecosystem for both public and private players.

“NATHEALTH thanks the Government of India for supporting several of its core sectoral recommendations,” said Mr. Soi. “We look forward to a trusted partnership in implementing these initiatives as key pillars in realizing our Honorable Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Health for All’.”

With a renewed focus on strengthening healthcare infrastructure, improving affordability, and accelerating digital transformation, the budget sets the stage for significant advancements in medical access and quality care across the country.