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Budget 2025: Finance Minister Announce 10,000 Additional Medical Seats in 2025, Expansion of Cancer Care

In a recent budget announcement, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made significant strides in improving India's healthcare sector, particularly in medical education and cancer treatment. With a focus on enhancing healthcare access and addressing the growing demand for medical professionals, the Finance Minister revealed plans to add thousands of new medical seats and expand cancer care facilities across the country.

10,000 Additional Medical Seats in Next year 

A major highlight of the announcement was the addition of 10,000 new medical seats in medical colleges starting next year. This move is aimed at addressing the growing need for healthcare professionals in India, where the demand for doctors continues to rise due to a rapidly increasing population and the need for improved healthcare delivery in rural and urban areas.

The Finance Minister further emphasized the long-term vision, stating that over the next five years, a total of 75,000 medical seats would be added. This marks a significant step in enhancing the capacity of medical institutions to meet the country’s healthcare demands, thus providing more opportunities for aspiring doctors and improving the quality of healthcare across India.

Expansion of Cancer Care: Daycare Cancer Centres in District Hospitals

In response to the rising number of cancer cases in India, the government announced plans to establish daycare cancer centres in all district hospitals. This initiative aims to ensure that cancer patients, particularly those in remote areas, have better access to cancer care services, reducing the burden of traveling long distances to receive treatment.

By 2025-26, the government plans to establish approximately 200 daycare cancer centres across the country. This initiative will help provide timely treatment and consultations for cancer patients, significantly improving the accessibility of critical healthcare services in underserved regions.

Telemedicine and Broadband Connectivity for Rural Areas

In a bid to improve healthcare delivery in rural areas, the Finance Minister also highlighted the expansion of broadband connectivity to primary health centres. This will facilitate the growth of telemedicine consultations, allowing patients in remote villages to access medical advice and treatments from qualified healthcare professionals through digital platforms. Telemedicine is expected to bridge the gap in healthcare access, particularly in rural regions where medical resources and specialists are often limited.

A Decade of Progress in Medical Education

The budget further recognized the impressive growth in India’s medical education sector over the past decade. Since 2013, the number of medical colleges in the country has more than doubled, from 387 to 780 by 2024-25. Similarly, the number of MBBS seats has surged by 130%, from 51,348 seats to 1,18,137. This growth underscores the government's commitment to increasing access to quality medical education and training for students across India.

Addressing the Rising Cancer Burden

Cancer has become one of the leading causes of death in India, with the number of new cancer cases steadily rising each year. According to a Lancet study, India recorded over 12 lakh new cancer cases in 2019 alone, with the number increasing to more than 14 lakh by 2022. This alarming rise in cancer cases prompted the government to reduce the GST on key cancer drugs, making them more affordable for patients. The government’s efforts to set up daycare cancer centres and improve access to treatment are expected to provide much-needed support to those battling the disease.

Vision for a "Viksit Bharat"

The announcement was part of the government's broader vision for a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India). The Finance Minister reiterated that the budget aims to focus on the welfare of the people, particularly the poor and middle class, and emphasized the government's commitment to making strides toward inclusive growth. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the government's approach to the budget has consistently prioritized social welfare, and this year’s budget is no exception.

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