New Delhi, February 01: While presenting the never before like Union Budget 2021 in Parliament, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman gave a major push to the health care sector. In the first-ever paperless Union Budget, she announced Rs 2.23 lakh crore for healthcare in Budget 2021-22. This is an increase of 137 percent from last year.
She has allocated Rs 35,400 crore towards COVID vaccines for FY22 and saying the government is committed to further support. Announcing the budget she said," I have provided Rs 35,000 crores for COVID19 vaccine in this year 2021-22: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. " She added, "the Budget outlay for health and well being is Rs 2.23 lakh crore in 2021-22."
Apart from it, Sitharaman also proposed the introduction of the Aatmanirbhar health program with an outlay of Rs 64,180 crore improve primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare. . "This will be in addition to the national health mission," Nirmala Sitharaman said.
While talking about the covid situation and vaccine driver Sitharaman said that there are currently two coronavirus vaccines in India -- Serum Institute's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin -- but, "two more will be launched" to prevent the country against the Covid-19 infection.
"Today India has 2 vaccines available and has begun safeguarding not only its own citizens against COVID19 but also those of 100 or more countries. It has added comfort to know that 2 more vaccines are also expected soon", she said. Vaccines will be rolled out across the country. This will prevent over 50,000 child deaths annually, she added.