FICCI wants priority status for healthcare

New Delhi: The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) has recommended to the government to accord priority status to the healthcare sector in the upcoming budget.

Sangita Reddy, senior vice president, Ficci, said on Thursday that the industry is looking forward to a clear and proactive policy in the upcoming budget including priority status to the health sector.

“Healthcare must receive a priority status so that it enables easier access to funding,” said Reddy, who is also the Joint MD, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise.

In a video address on Ficci’s Youtube channel, Reddy noted that India has done a “commendable job towards universal health coverage by undertaking Ayushman Bharat”.

However, she added that private sector participation will be needed to scale up in areas like capability, number of beds, manpower and training. “The industry is also seeking support to get investment towards the new age healthcare and in that, data sharing, digitalisation, electronic health record, personal health records - all are very important buzz points,” she added. (IANS)

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