Union Budget 2026 Raises Health Allocation 10%, Waives Duty on Key Cancer Medicines

India’s latest Union Budget has received a positive response from doctors and healthcare professionals, particularly for its focus on strengthening mental health services and reducing the cost of cancer medicines. Medical experts say the measures reflect a growing recognition of critical public health challenges and could help ease both clinical and financial pressures on patients if executed effectively.

Doctors have welcomed the Budget’s emphasis on mental health, an area that has remained under-resourced for decades despite rising cases of anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders. The medical community notes that increased allocations for mental health programmes, infrastructure, and workforce training are essential in bridging the wide treatment gap, especially in rural and underserved regions. They believe sustained investment can improve access to care and encourage early intervention.

Another key highlight for healthcare professionals is the move to make cancer medicines more affordable. Oncologists point out that high drug prices have long been a major obstacle to timely and continuous treatment, often pushing families into severe financial distress. Measures aimed at lowering costs, including policy support for affordable medicines, are seen as a step toward improving treatment adherence and outcomes.

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