As preparations for the Union Budget 2026 gather momentum, voices from across the healthcare sector are urging the government to prioritise reforms that place patients at the centre of the system. Stakeholders believe the upcoming budget offers an important opportunity to address long-standing gaps in access, affordability and quality of care, particularly for patients who continue to face delays and financial hardship while seeking treatment.
Healthcare leaders argue that policy support should extend well beyond hospitals and tertiary care facilities. They emphasise the need for a holistic approach that covers the entire patient journey, beginning with prevention and early detection, and moving through timely diagnosis, referrals and treatment. Strengthening these links, they say, can significantly reduce delays and improve outcomes, especially for serious and chronic conditions.
Annapurna Das, General Manager at Takeda India, believes Budget 2026 could mark a major shift if it focuses on reinforcing healthcare delivery from start to finish. She notes that sustained public investment in preventive screening, diagnostics and efficient referral systems can make a meaningful difference for patients dealing with cancer, rare diseases and long-term illnesses. According to her, ensuring continuity of care is essential to improving both survival rates and quality of life.
Another major concern highlighted by industry leaders is the gap between medical innovation and patient access. While advancements in treatment and technology are accelerating, many patients are unable to benefit from them due to high out-of-pocket expenses and slow policy processes. Das stresses that a transparent, science-driven policy framework is vital to ensure that new therapies reach patients faster without placing excessive financial strain on families.
She also points to the importance of strengthening healthcare infrastructure across the country, including support for plasma-based therapies and digital health platforms. Expanding these capabilities, she says, can help ensure that high-quality care is not limited to major urban centres but is also accessible in smaller towns and underserved regions.
Preventive healthcare has emerged as another key theme in discussions around Budget 2026. Founders of health-focused startups argue that investing in prevention can reduce the burden on hospitals and significantly cut long-term healthcare costs. By identifying health risks early, the system can shift from reactive treatment to proactive care.
Sudipta Sengupta, Founder and CEO of The Healthy Indian Project (THIP), underscores that preventive healthcare should be viewed as a national priority rather than merely a commercial opportunity. He points out that global platforms using artificial intelligence and data-driven health tools are expanding rapidly, and without targeted policy support, Indian startups may struggle to keep pace.
Sengupta hopes the government will introduce incentives, grants and clear regulatory frameworks that encourage Indian preventive health startups to innovate responsibly. He believes such measures can help build trusted healthcare ecosystems grounded in scientific evidence, ethical practices and wide accessibility.
Overall, expectations from Budget 2026 are high within the healthcare sector. Industry leaders are calling for a patient-first approach that balances affordability, innovation and prevention. From strengthening early screening and diagnostics to making advanced treatments more accessible and supporting domestic innovation, stakeholders see the budget as a chance to move closer to a more equitable and resilient healthcare system—one where quality care is determined not by income or location, but by need.
