Budget 2024: Sitharaman says govt to set up more medical colleges

Nirmala Sitharaman/ PTI

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the government plans to set up more medical colleges utilising the existing hospital infrastructure and will be setting up a committee to examine the same.

She made the statement while presenting the interim budget for 2024-25 on February 1, Thursday.

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Sitharaman, per the PTI report, also said that the government will encourage vaccination for girls between the ages of 9-14 for the prevention of cervical cancer.

Sitharaman, in Parliament, according to the report, stated that various schemes for maternal and child healthcare will be brought under one comprehensive programme for better coordination in implementation.

She was quoted as saying, "Several youths are ambitious to get qualified as doctors. They aim to serve our people through improved healthcare services. Our government plans to set up more medical colleges by utilising the existing hospital infrastructure under various departments."

Sitharaman further stated, "A committee for this purpose will be set up to examine the issues and make relevant recommendations."

The finance minister also said that the newly designed U-WIN portal for managing vaccination and intensified efforts of Mission Indradhanush will be rolled out expeditiously throughout India.

She also announced the Aganwadi centres across India will be upgraded. She said, "Upgradation of Anganwadi centres under Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 will be expedited for improved nutrition delivery, early childhood care and development."

In her announcement, she also said that the Ayushman Bharat healthcare coverage will be extended to ASHA workers.

"The healthcare cover under the Ayushman Bharat will be extended to all ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers and helpers," the minister said.

With PTI inputs