Budget’s focus on skilling healthcare professionals a big plus: Dr Harsh Mahajan, FICCI

The Union Budget 2026 places renewed emphasis on skilling healthcare professionals, strengthening allied health education, and expanding preventive care - a move welcomed by industry leaders. Speaking to ET Digital, Harsh Mahajan, Mentor – Health Sector at FICCI and Founder & Chairman of Mahajan Imaging & Labs, said the budget builds on past reforms and signals continuity in healthcare policy. Dr Mahajan highlighted the government’s focus on biopharma, clinical research, regulatory strengthening, allied health workforce expansion, geriatric care, traditional medicine, and medical value travel. He said skilling is critical to delivering quality healthcare beyond urban centres and achieving universal health coverage over time. While India’s healthcare spending remains below global benchmarks, Mahajan said targeted investments, execution, and public-private collaboration can strengthen last-mile delivery, reduce pressure on tertiary hospitals, and improve preventive care through technology, telemedicine, and AI.