Amid a steep rise in both infectious and lifestyle-related diseases, industry association NATHEALTH has urged the Centre to substantially increase health spending in the upcoming Union Budget 2026–27. The body has recommended that public healthcare expenditure be pushed above 2.5% of the GDP.
Chronic diseases now account for nearly 65% of all deaths in India, with over 100 million people living with diabetes, a fast-growing elderly population, and millions more vulnerable to heart and lung disorders. Although India bears almost a quarter of the global disease burden, it contributes less than 2% to global health spending.
In its pre-budget submission, NATHEALTH has proposed sweeping reforms in public health systems, infrastructure development, innovation, and sustainable financing to strengthen India’s healthcare architecture.
The vision is to create a robust, future-ready health ecosystem “built in India, for India and the world”especially at a time when Tier 2–4 regions continue to grapple with limited access and affordability.
The organisation noted that initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat and PMJAY have encouraged more people to seek medical care, but major gaps still remain in infrastructure, skilled workforce availability, and insurance coverage, preventing equitable access.
Ameera Shah, President of NATHEALTH and Executive Chairperson of Metropolis Healthcare Ltd, said, “To achieve the Viksit Bharat 2047 goal, healthcare must be treated as a core component of national development. India needs forward-looking fiscal policies and innovation-driven reforms to build a self-sufficient, high-quality system that ensures wider access and long-term progress.”
Reinforcing the urgency, Dr. Sangita Reddy, Senior Vice President of NATHEALTH and Joint Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals, stated, “This Budget presents an opportunity to completely reshape India’s healthcare trajectory. We must move from incremental allocations to substantial, long-term investments in infrastructure, human resources, and cutting-edge innovation. With decisive action, India can develop one of the world’s strongest, most future-ready health systems.”
NATHEALTH stressed that strategic investments in the health sector can generate significant multiplier effects boosting employment, economic development, and social productivity similar to investments in education and infrastructure, thereby positioning healthcare as a core pillar of the Viksit Bharat vision.