India is facing a growing mental health crisis marked by a high burden of depression, anxiety, addiction, and suicides, with nearly 70–92% treatment gap and a severe shortage of professionals. The Union Budget 2026 has focused on institutional expansion, including a second campus of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, upgradation of regional institutes, and continued support for digital services like Tele MANAS. However, mental health spending remains below 2% of the health budget, and challenges such as stigma, limited community-level services, workforce shortages, and rising youth and digital-age stress persist. Addressing the crisis requires greater funding, community-based care, preventive strategies, and stronger primary healthcare integration to ensure accessible and affordable mental health services for all.
Click to View MoreCervical cancer remains a major rural health crisis in India despite being preventable, due to low screening coverage, late diagnosis, weak referral systems, limited access to diagnostic and treatment facilities, and gaps in HPV vaccination. The high burden reflects systemic health inequities rather than medical limitations, underscoring the need for integrated prevention, early detection, and equitable healthcare delivery aligned with global elimination goals.
Click to View MoreIndia’s public health spending remains persistently low, with total government expenditure hovering around 1.5–2% of GDP, far below the 2.5% target set by the National Health Policy. While States have gradually increased their health allocations, the Union government’s share as a percentage of GDP has declined after a temporary rise during COVID-19. This underinvestment leads to overburdened public hospitals, weak primary healthcare, high out-of-pocket expenses, and regional inequalities. Despite major initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and the National Health Mission, inadequate and inconsistent funding continues to limit progress toward universal, affordable, and equitable healthcare in India.
Click to View MoreIndia’s goal of “Health for All” faces major hurdles such as low public health spending, rising non-communicable and infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and persistent gaps in infrastructure and access. Although initiatives like Ayushman Bharat, Health and Wellness Centres, and disease-control programmes have expanded services, missed TB targets and repeated pharmaceutical quality lapses reveal systemic weaknesses. Achieving true universal health coverage will require higher funding, stronger regulation, and a primary healthcare–centred approach.
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The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), with a ₹64,180 crore outlay, builds a resilient health system by strengthening primary to tertiary care. It sets up labs, critical care blocks, and disease surveillance while promoting a ‘One Health’ approach for preventive, diagnostic healthcare.
Click to View MoreUniversal Health Coverage (UHC) aims to ensure equitable, affordable healthcare for all citizens. Despite progress, challenges include low public spending, skilled personnel shortages, out-of-pocket expenses. A path forward involves increasing public investment, strengthening primary care, leveraging technology like telemedicine and digital health records (ABDM), to guarantee quality and accessible services for all.
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