In a significant push towards enhancing healthcare infrastructure, the Indian government has announced plans to set up daycare cancer centres in all district hospitals over the next three years. As part of this initiative, 200 daycare cancer centres will be established in the 2025-26 financial year, according to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who made the declaration while presenting the 2025-26 Union Budget—her record eighth budget presentation.

Expanding Cancer Care Accessibility Nationwide

The establishment of daycare cancer centres is a much-needed step towards improving cancer treatment accessibility in India. With the increasing number of cancer cases and the burden of expensive treatments, these centres will help reduce travel burdens and costs for patients, especially those in rural and semi-urban areas.

“These centres will be integrated within district hospitals to ensure that patients receive quality treatment without needing to travel long distances,” Sitharaman stated during her budget speech. The move aligns with the government’s vision of making healthcare more inclusive and bridging the gap between urban and rural medical facilities.

Gig Workers to Receive Healthcare Benefits Under PM-JAY

Another key highlight of the budget was the announcement that gig workers will now be provided healthcare benefits under the PM Jan Aarogya Yojana (PM-JAY). This policy move is expected to benefit nearly 1 crore gig and platform workers who, until now, lacked formal healthcare coverage.

The gig economy in India has expanded significantly in recent years, with workers engaged in ride-hailing services, food delivery, and freelance jobs forming a substantial workforce. Providing healthcare access to this segment is a crucial step toward securing their well-being. Under PM-JAY, gig workers will be able to receive medical treatments at empaneled hospitals, reducing their financial burden due to unforeseen medical expenses.

To address the growing demand for healthcare professionals, the government has also outlined an ambitious plan to increase medical education capacity. Sitharaman announced that 10,000 additional medical seats will be added in medical colleges and hospitals in the upcoming year, contributing towards the goal of adding 75,000 seats over the next five years.

“In the past decade, our government has increased the number of undergraduate and postgraduate medical seats by 130%, adding nearly 1.1 lakh medical seats. This expansion will ensure that India continues to produce a skilled medical workforce capable of handling future healthcare challenges,” she said.

The medical sector has witnessed rapid expansion, but there remains a significant shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly in rural and underprivileged regions. The move to add more medical seats will help meet growing demands and improve doctor-to-patient ratios.

Broadband Connectivity for Schools and Healthcare Centres

In addition to strengthening the healthcare sector, Sitharaman also revealed that all government secondary schools and primary healthcare centres (PHCs) will receive broadband connectivity. This initiative will enable schools to enhance digital learning, and PHCs will benefit from telemedicine and real-time data-sharing capabilities, improving patient outcomes and streamlining healthcare services.

The government recognizes that digital access is a crucial component of modern education and healthcare. By ensuring high-speed broadband in schools, students will have greater exposure to digital resources and online learning opportunities. Likewise, healthcare centres with broadband connectivity will be better equipped to facilitate remote consultations and medical record management.

Impact of the Announcements on India’s Healthcare Landscape

The announcements made in the 2025-26 Union Budget reaffirm the government’s commitment to bolstering the country’s healthcare sector. These initiatives are expected to:

• Enhance cancer treatment accessibility through daycare cancer centres.
• Extend healthcare coverage to gig workers under PM-JAY.
• Increase medical education capacity by adding thousands of medical seats.
• Improve digital infrastructure in schools and healthcare facilities.

Industry experts have welcomed these decisions, noting that they will strengthen India’s public healthcare system and reduce disparities in medical accessibility between urban and rural areas.

The 2025-26 Union Budget presents a holistic approach to healthcare development in India. By investing in daycare cancer centres, medical education, gig worker healthcare benefits, and digital infrastructure, the government is taking decisive steps towards improving accessibility and affordability in the healthcare sector. If implemented effectively, these initiatives will not only benefit millions of citizens but also help transform India into a global leader in healthcare services.