Kolkata, February 1st, 2026: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the ninth consecutive Union Budget 2026-27 on Sunday, announcing the setting up of five regional medical hubs for giving a boost to medical tourism in India.
The medical hubs will comprise diagnostics infrastructure, post-care rehabilitation, and Ayush centres, offering considerable employment opportunities for medical service providers and professionals. Further drug testing labs and Ayush pharmacies will be upgraded, including the WHO Traditional Medicine Centre at Jamnagar, Gujarat. She also proposed the establishment of three new All-India Institutes of Ayurveda to fulfil the global demand for Ayurveda.
INR 10,000 crore has been committed towards setting up of a strong domestic biopharma ecosystem under the Biopharma Shakti Initiative, upgrade the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation to meet global standards, augment institutions, enabling predictable and quicker approvals. Patient access will further be improved by the complete BCD exemption on 17 cancer drugs, along with targeted relief for rare diseases, coupled with support for high need areas.
Speaking on the Union Budget 2026-27 for the healthcare and diagnostics sector, Dr. Somnath Chatterjee, Chairman & Joint Managing Director, Suraksha Clinic & Diagnostics, shared: “The focus on mental health is absolutely timely. Also the reduction of duty on oncology drugs is commendable. Private participation in health care could have been addressed better. The decision to waive customs duty on 17 essential cancer drugs and extend import duty exemptions for medicines used in the treatment of rare diseases, announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 is a welcome move. This progressive step is going to help reduce the cost burden on patients and their families,and will enable greater access to critical therapies.
At Suraksha Clinic and Diagnostics, we believe that making life-saving medicines more affordable is a fundamental pillar of inclusive healthcare. The emphasis on enhancing healthcare accessibility reflects a commitment towards patient-centric care, and we look forward to the meaningful impact this will have on the quality of diagnosis and treatment for those battling complex diseases.”
He further added: “With the rising buden of non-communicable diseases in India, such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases,respiratory illnesses etc, the Biopharma Shakti initiative will play an important role in the management of chronic diseases, improving treatment options and survival rates of patients., reducing import dependence , boosting research and innovation. It will help to position India as a global bipharma hub.”
It was announced that existing institutions for allied health professionals will be upgraded, along with the setting up of new AHPI institutions in public and private sectors, under the second Kartavya, which is to meet the aspirations and dreams of the citizens of India, building their capacity, turning them into strong alliances in the path of India towards prosperity. 10 selected disciplines, such as radiology, optometry, OT technology, anaesthesia, behavioural health, and applied psychology, will come under these. The government also announced that nearly 1 lakh allied health professionals will be included in the upcoming five years. Moreover, it was announced that a strong care system covering allied and geriatric sectors will be set up.
It was proposed that a range of National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) aligned programme for training multiskilled caregivers, amalgamating allied skills and core care, including yoga, wellness, and meditative assistive devices, will be formed.
A premier mental health institute in North India – NIMHANS 2.0 will be set up, besides strenghtening the capacity of district hospitals by nearly 50% through new trauma and emergency care centres, enhancing access to critical care.
About Suraksha Clinic and Diagnostics
Established in 1992, Suraksha Clinic and Diagnostics is one of Eastern India’s leading diagnostic providers and today ranks as the third largest diagnostic brand in India across both pathology and non-pathology services. Offering a comprehensive portfolio of over 2,300 diagnostic tests spanning pathology, radiology, and medical consultancy services, Suraksha Clinic and Diagnostics has built a strong reputation for trust and clinical excellence.
The organisation operates a central reference laboratory, nearly eight satellite laboratories, 65 advanced diagnostic outlets across four states, and approximately 166 sample collection centres across West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, and Meghalaya. Suraksha Clinic and Diagnostics’ commitment to technological advancement is reflected in its adoption of AI-enabled smart laboratories and digital platforms, streamlining operations and enhancing patient care.
Backed by cutting-edge technology and expert medical teams, Suraksha Clinic and Diagnostics ensures that high-quality, reliable, and accurate diagnostic services are accessible to millions, reaffirming its mission of excellence in healthcare delivery.
