Union Budget to position India as global healthcare hub: Prathap Reddy

Dr. Prathap C. Reddy praises Union Budget 2025 for advancing healthcare innovation, medical education, and medical tourism in India.

Prathap C. Reddy, chairman of Apollo Hospitals, said Union Budget 2025 will serve as a launchpad to establish India as a global centre for advanced healthcare and medical innovation.

Praising the Budget, Dr. Reddy said the addition of 75,000 new medical seats over the next five years and the creation of Centres of Excellence in AI will drive healthcare innovation and research. He recalled achievements since the 1980s, when healthcare faced major challenges. Today, India has made great progress in providing quality care to its citizens, he said in a statement.

Dr. Reddy said the announcement to promote medical tourism through private sector partnerships will enhance capacity to attract global patients and position India as the go-to destination for affordable, world-class medical care under the ‘Heal in India’ mission.

Dr. Reddy commended the Budget’s plan to set up 200 daycare cancer centres in district hospitals and praised the focus on making essential medicines for rare diseases and cancer more affordable. These moves will help fight major health issues and reduce costs for patients, he said.

He noted the importance of upskilling healthcare professionals, with new National Centres of Excellence and 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs. Simplifying rules for health-tech startups will also help foster new medical solutions, Dr. Reddy added.