Union budget 2023: Little disappointing, says IMA

After Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2023 on February 1, 2023, and allocated INR 89,155 crore to the healthcare sector as against INR 79,145 crore allocated last year, which is a hike of 13%, Indian Medical Association has said that the budget was a little disappointing, read here to know more.

Indian Medical Association (IMA) has shared their viewpoints on the union budget 2023 and said that it was a little disappointing about GST as no relief has been provided in GST for medical equipment. IMA has demanded to reduce the GST on medical equipment to 5%. IMA has also demanded zero rate GST on healthcare service providers to claim the input tax credit. 

The association had expected GST exemption for Social Security Schemes and other Family Welfare Schemes, IMA Membership of doctors as well as registration of Medical/Dental and nursing graduates in their respective state councils.

"IMA's request of compensating 2000 bereaved families of Covid martyrs doctors by Central Government is still not addressed," reads IMA's official statement.

However, the association has appreciated some of the budget announcements including implementing a free food scheme for the next 1 year - 2 lakh crore to be borne by the Centre, 157 new nursing colleges, a new pharma program for R&D through Centre of Excellence, Joint public/private medical research to be facilitated through ICMR labs, and sickle cell anaemia elimination mission by 2047 to be undertaken.

IMA also appreciated the fact that budget for new AIIMS to be increased, a national digital library for children and adolescents to be set up, all cities and towns eligible for mechanical sewage de-slugging from manholes to machine holes, replacement of old polluting vehicles, and more such benficial announcements.

Read more:

• Union Budget 2023: Health sector sees 13% hike, AIIMS gets cut
• Union Budget 2023: Major emphasis on Ayush services, research