Delhi boosts health budget with new schemes

A new medical college will be constructed at Indira Gandhi Hospital, Dwarka, with Rs 50 crore, and hostels at Maulana Azad Medical College will be redeveloped with separate male and female facilities.

Metro India News | new delhi

The Delhi government has earmarked over 12.5 per cent of its FY 2026–27 Budget for healthcare, totaling around Rs 13,034 crore, a rise from Rs 12,893 crore last year. Chief Minister and Finance Minister Rekha Gupta unveiled a Rs 1.03 lakh crore Budget, highlighting initiatives for accessible and affordable healthcare.

A major focus is the launch of the ANMOL (Advanced Newborn Monitoring for Optimal Lifecare) scheme, with Rs 25 crore allocated. The program will offer 56 types of genetic and health tests for newborns using a single drop of blood, free in public and private hospitals.

The government also included transgender persons under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), expanding coverage to over 7.5 lakh beneficiaries. Rs 202 crore has been set aside for this expansion, which already includes ASHA and anganwadi workers, widows, and persons with disabilities.

Healthcare infrastructure will see a boost with 750 new Ayushman Arogya Mandirs to be established in 2026–27, adding to 370 existing centres under PM-ABHIM. A Real-Time Ventilator Bed Vacancy Monitoring System will be introduced across hospitals, along with a digital blood bank and donor registry for instant information on availability.

Hospital infrastructure projects will get Rs 515 crore, including completion of ICU hospitals left unfinished by the previous government. Upgrades are planned for major hospitals, and a new trauma centre at Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital will be built with Rs 200 crore.

Medical education will expand with undergraduate seats rising from 595 to 820 and postgraduate seats from 553 to 762. A new medical college will be constructed at Indira Gandhi Hospital, Dwarka, with Rs 50 crore, and hostels at Maulana Azad Medical College will be redeveloped with separate male and female facilities.

The Delhi State AYUSH Society, established last year, will receive Rs 60 crore to expand its services, with five centres already operational. Overall, the Budget emphasizes accessible healthcare, modern infrastructure, and preventive care for all Delhi residents.