GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 1st Jan. In a major move to support cancer and rare disease patients, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Union Budget 2025 presentation, announced that 36 life-saving drugs would be fully exempted from basic customs duty. Additionally, 37 other medicines and 13 patient assistance programs would also benefit from this exemption. However, six life-saving drugs will incur a five percent duty.
Sitharaman highlighted the importance of this initiative, especially for patients battling cancer and rare diseases, ensuring they have better access to essential medications. The government had also exempted three anti-cancer drugs—Trastuzumab, Osimertinib, and Durvalumab—from customs duties in the previous budget.
India faces a growing cancer burden, with approximately 14.6 lakh cases recorded in 2022, as per a Lancet study. To further support healthcare, Sitharaman announced the addition of 10,000 medical college seats next year, aiming to increase the total number of seats by 75,000 over the next five years. Moreover, daycare cancer centres will be established in all district hospitals, with about 200 centres planned for 2025-26.
The government will also provide broadband connectivity to all government secondary schools and primary healthcare centres. Furthermore, gig workers will be covered under the PM Jan Aarogya Yojana (PM-JAY), offering them much-needed healthcare facilities.
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