Sankara Eye Hospital President and paediatric ophthalmologist Dr Kaushik Murali welcomed the Union Budget, especially for the importance given to the healthcare sector.

He said, “Healthcare sector has been a clear priority in Budget 2018. There has been a good balance on short-term respite from out-of-pocket health costs and building capacity in the long-term.” He felt the healthcare protection scheme was going to be a real game changer.

He also welcomed the idea to increase the number of doctors and also upgradation of 24 district hospitals. “Health can be one of the key job creators. More focus from the Skill India initiative with these announcements should see this sector contribute in this area too.

“With Rs 1,200 crore to the National Health Policy, we look forward to a continued impetus to the National Programme for Control of Blindness which is one of the most successful public-private healthcare programmes,” he said

Dr Murali hoped the 3.5 per cent fiscal deficit did not force a rethink on these allocations later due to lack of funds.