Healthy dose of funds with focus on Ayushman Bharat

New Delhi: In a massive increase in the city's health budget, CM Rekha Gupta allocated Rs 12,893 crore for healthcare in 2025-26, a 48.4% over the current provision. The sum for health increased from Rs 8,685 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 12,893 crore for the new fiscal, with Rs 2,144 crore specifically designated for implementing the Ayushman Bharat healthcare programme.
Gupta castigated the previous AAP regime for suspending welfare programmes on political considerations, alluding to the non-implementation of Ayushman Bharat in Delhi despite the central govt's repeated request for it. "The new govt, at its inaugural cabinet meeting, decided to introduce the scheme and its implementation will commence shortly," she said in her budget speech. "Soon people will enjoy the benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Yojna and the Ayushman Arogya Mandir facilities. Along with the Rs 5 lakh insurance cover given by the Centre under the yojna, Delhi govt will grant a top-up of Rs 5 lakh to Delhi's citizens."
The budget also allocated Rs 320 crore for establishing 400 wellness centres and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Under PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, Rs 1,666.7 crore was earmarked for strengthening critical care facilities and diagnostic capabilities. It also allocated Rs147.6 crore for expanding Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna and Rs 9.9 crore for implementing the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.
Capital projects were granted Rs 3,421 crore for capital projects and Rs 6,874 crore for other health sector initiatives. "We are working fast towards updating health regulations for better accountability," CM stated, noting plans to implement Delhi State AYUSH Society.
During her speech, Gupta noted that while the World Health Organization recommended five hospital beds per thousand population, Delhi maintained only 2.7 beds per thousand residents. She said that this inadequacy manifested in long queues at govt hospital OPDs and pharmaceutical dispensaries. She also identified understaffing and insufficient diagnostic facilities as primary challenges.
The capital's healthcare infrastructure needs injection of energy and funds. At present, there are 24 incomplete hospital development initiatives, comprising seven intensive care units, four new facilities and 13 expansion programmes. Among these unfinished ventures, efforts are under way to complete 10-13 projects with an allocated budget of Rs 1,000 crore.
CM also announced that the healthcare system would undergo modernisation in maintaining comprehensive patient records. Since payments will be processed solely on actual services received by patients, the possibility of fraudulent activities will be eliminated. She reiterated the govt's pledge to provide accessible, affordable and quality healthcare to all residents. This will be achieved through existing infrastructure enhancement and development of primary and tertiary medical facilities. The administration will implement sustained policy measures and infrastructure development for improved healthcare services, she said.