Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced while presenting the Union Budget that the country will spend an estimated ₹ 2.23 lakh crore on public health expenditure for 2021-2022, which represents a rise of 137% from the previous year.

She added that three areas are going to be strengthened, namely, preventive health, curative health and well-being. The government has provided ₹ 35,000 crore for COVID-19 vaccines. Additional funds will begiven if required. The Finance Minister also announced that two new vaccines would be launched. She further stated that the National Centre of Disease Control is going to be strengthened with the addition of new branches and units, and support for over 17,000 rural and 11,000 urban health centers. Four new National Institutes of Virology will be started, and critical healthcare facilities would be set up in 62 districts, added the minister… (NDTV – with inputs from Reuters, February 1, 2021)