New Delhi, February 2 (IANS). Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently presented the Union Budget 2026-27, in which special priority has been given to the health sector. In this budget, many important schemes were announced to strengthen Ayurveda, modern medicine and medical tourism. Director of All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) Prof. PK. Prajapati praised the budget and called it a historic step for Ayurveda and health sector.
Speaking to IANS, AIIA Director Prof. PK. Prajapati said, “The provisions made by Prime Minister Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the budget keeping in mind Ayurveda, quality of medicines and medical tourism are very important as per the demand of the time. The approval of three new All India Institutes of Medical Sciences and Ayurveda Institutes will improve both the quality and availability of treatment in the country.
He said, “Many patients come from abroad for various medical systems in India like Modern Medicine, Unani, Ayurveda and Homeopathy. This budget will prove helpful for all those patients and medical practices. Ayurvedic and homeopathic treatments are also supported by scientific research, and now the Budget has given special attention to the development and expansion of these medical systems.
He said that in the budget, provision has been made for special schemes for Ayurvedic treatments that connect body, soul and mental health.
Pro. Prajapati said, “There has been a lot of progress in the field of Ayurveda since 2014 during the tenure of Prime Minister Modi. I appreciate the tireless efforts of the Ministry of AYUSH, the Minister and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, as without their support and guidance this would not have been possible. This budget will strengthen Ayurvedic education and research, and will also make India an attractive center for medical tourism.
The budget also includes the establishment of three new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research and upgradation of seven old institutes in the health sector. Additionally, there are plans to create 1,000 accredited clinical trial sites across the country. Steps have also been taken towards providing better facilities to patients by upgrading district hospitals and emergency wards.
Five new regional medical hubs will also be created, where work on medical services, research and training will take place. In addition, three new All India Institutes of Medical Sciences will be established. New institutions and facilities will be expanded in the field of mental health.
–IANS
PK/ABM