New Delhi: The Union Budget 2025-26, presented by Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday, brought a wave of optimism for patients battling severe chronic diseases, particularly cancer and rare diseases. The budget unveiled ambitious plans to set up 200 cancer daycare centres in district hospitals over the next three years and exempted 36 life-saving drugs from basic customs duty. However, while these measures were hailed as steps in the right direction, experts cautioned that the devil lies in the details.
Dr. B. S. Ajaikumar, Executive Chairman of Healthcare Global Enterprises Limited, welcomed the customs duty exemption on life-saving drugs but also raised concerns about the feasibility of the government’s plan to establish 200 cancer daycare centres. “Cancer care requires highly skilled professionals and continuous research. Cancer is a complex disease that is evolving every day. It merits deep study and ceaseless research to develop targeted therapies through proper assessment of the immunologic status and genomic aspects of each cancer case. Cancer care can’t be rolled out like a normal daycare centre. How will the government ensure the recruitment of competent staff and the delivery of timely, quality care?” he questioned. He emphasized the need for a robust universal care model funded by private industrialists to lessen the financial burden on patients.
On the other hand, D. S. Negi, CEO of Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, lauded the budget’s focus on making cancer treatment more accessible. “The addition of 200 daycare centres in 2025-26 itself will significantly benefit economically weaker sections,” he said. He also praised the government’s plan to add 75,000 medical seats over the next five years, calling it a crucial step to address the shortage of healthcare professionals and improve the doctor-to-population ratio.
Prof. Dr. Raj Nagarkar, MD & Chief of Surgical Oncology at HCG Manavata Cancer Centre, acknowledged the positive steps but highlighted unresolved challenges. “While reducing drug prices and expanding medical education is
commendable, the government must address delayed payments under schemes like Ayushman Bharat,” he said. “Private hospitals are struggling to sustain services due to pending reimbursements, especially in states like Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. Rather than focusing solely on expansion, the priority should be ensuring timely payments under Government schemes and improving healthcare quality. A structured approach to addressing financial bottlenecks and strengthening medical education will create a more sustainable and effective healthcare system” he added.
Behram Khodaiji, CEO of Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, welcomed the decentralization of cancer care through district-level centres but cautioned that their success would depend on adequate staffing and advanced technology. “The plan to set up daycare cancer centresin district hospitals will decentralize care, reducing the burden on metropolitan hospitals and making critical treatments more accessible. However, ensuring these centres are well-equipped with skilled professionals and advanced technology will be key to their success.”
“The exemption of basic customs duty on 36 life-saving drugs and concessional rates on six more is a crucial step in reducing treatment costs for patients battling cancer, rare diseases, and chronic illnesses. Additionally, waiving customs duty on medicines provided through patient assistance programs is a progressive move, expanding access to essential drugs for those in financial distress. With 37 new medicines and 13 more patient assistance programs added, this initiative will significantly benefit underprivileged patients. However, it is vital to ensure transparency and efficiency in the implementation of these programs so that the support reaches those who need it most. The exemption of customs duty on life-saving drugs is a progressive move, but transparency in implementation is crucial to ensure the benefits reach those in need,” he added
Dr. Tarang Gianchandani, CEO of Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, hailed the budget’s focus on cancer care,“Recognizing the need to reduce the financial strain of life-threatening diseases, the full exemption of basic customs duty on 36 life-saving drugs, including those for cancer and rare diseases shall ensure that critical treatments remain within reach for countless patients and their families and there is hope.
Moreover, the decision to establish daycare cancer centres in all district hospitals over the next three years, with 200 hospitals set to be operational by 2026, marks a transformative step in making cancer care more accessible to all strata of society near their homes. This initiative will be a lifeline for patients across the country, ensuring they receive timely and quality care without the need to travel long distances,” she said. “These measures will ensure that quality healthcare becomes a fundamental right for all.”
Shashank ND, CEO and Co-Founder of Practo, emphasized the budget’s impact on reducing out-of-pocket expenses for cancer patients. “Cancer treatment involves long-term care, with out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses forming the bulk of costs. The mean OOP for breast cancer treatment could be somewhere around ₹1.86 lakh, accounting for anywhere between 60-70% of the total cost. Medicines and hospitalization alone make up over 60% of a patient’s total expenses. The exemption of customs duty on 36 life-saving drugs and the establishment of daycare centres will make treatment more affordable and accessible,” he said. However, he stressed the need for continued focus on preventive care and early detection.
Surajit Chakrabartty, CFO of MedGenome, highlighted the budget’s potential to revolutionize cancer care through genomic solutions. “The establishment of daycare cancer centres is particularly critical given the overwhelming cancer burden in India. This also aligns with our mission of promoting preventive healthcare through early cancer detection improving the chances of successful treatment and survival. Affordable and accessible genomic solutions have the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of critical diseases such as Cancer and Rare, inherited diseases,” he said.
While the Union Budget 2025-26 has been widely praised for its focus on cancer care and affordability, experts agree that its success will depend on effective implementation, timely payments to healthcare providers, and a sustained focus on quality and accessibility. As India marches towards its vision of Viksit Bharat, the healthcare sector remains a critical pillar, and the budget’s initiatives offer both hope and caution for the road ahead.
