A recent paper published in The Lancet has outlined a roadmap for India to achieve universal health care by 2030, with a focus on the upcoming Budget 2026. The paper, titled “India’s path to universal health coverage: a call to action,” highlights the country’s progress towards achieving universal health care and identifies key areas that require attention and investment.
The authors of the paper note that India has made significant strides in improving health outcomes in recent years, with a decline in infant and maternal mortality rates, and an increase in life expectancy. However, despite these gains, the country still faces significant health challenges, including a high burden of non-communicable diseases, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and a shortage of healthcare professionals.
To address these challenges, the paper recommends that the Indian government increase its investment in healthcare to at least 2.5% of the country’s GDP by 2025, with a focus on strengthening primary healthcare, improving healthcare infrastructure, and enhancing the skills of healthcare professionals. The authors also emphasize the need for a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system, with a focus on reaching marginalized and vulnerable populations.
The paper identifies several key areas that require attention and investment in the upcoming Budget 2026, including:
- Strengthening primary healthcare: The authors recommend increasing investment in primary healthcare, including the expansion of health and wellness centers, and the deployment of more community health workers.
- Improving healthcare infrastructure: The paper highlights the need for significant investment in healthcare infrastructure, including the construction of new hospitals, the upgrading of existing facilities, and the procurement of medical equipment.
- Enhancing the skills of healthcare professionals: The authors recommend increasing investment in the training and development of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and community health workers.
- Expanding health insurance coverage: The paper emphasizes the need to expand health insurance coverage to all citizens, with a focus on marginalized and vulnerable populations.
Overall, the paper provides a comprehensive roadmap for India to achieve universal health care by 2030, with a focus on strengthening primary healthcare, improving healthcare infrastructure, and enhancing the skills of healthcare professionals. The authors emphasize the need for significant investment in healthcare in the upcoming Budget 2026, and highlight the importance of a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system that reaches all citizens, regardless of their income or social status.