- By Aditya Pratap Singh
- Tue, 04 Feb 2025 11:45 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made a major announcement on cancer treatment, just a few days before 'World Cancer Day' as part of her budget speech. To make cancer treatment more accessible, the minister said cancer centres would be set up in every district hospital. She also proposed to reduce basic customs duties on life-saving drugs used to treat serious diseases, including cancer. This will help in paving the way for cheaper treatments for serious diseases such as cancer.
Reduces custom duty to zero on medicines
In his budget speech, the Union Finance Minister proposed a complete exemption of life-saving drugs. Nirmala Sitharaman said the basic customs duty on 36 life-saving drugs used to treat cancer and other life-threatening diseases would be abolished. Thanks to this decision, life-saving drugs are now available at cheaper prices, bringing relief to patients.
as well as a proposed 5 per cent tax reduction on certain life-saving drugs.
200 cancer centers will be built
The government will set up 200 cancer centres from next fiscal year 2025-2 Let me tell you that the number of cancer patients has increased significantly over the years. The government must take urgent action.
Nirmala Sitharaman said cancer treatment is possible in every district hospital. The government will set up 200 cancer centres in the next fiscal.
More seats for medical students
The central government has also increased the number of medical seats. In her budget speech, the finance minister announced an increase of 10,000 seats in medical colleges. The government plans to increase the number of medical seats by 75,000 in the next five years.
