Govt asked to increase health budget, give industry status to health

New Delhi, Feb 23 (UNI) The Government was today urged to increase the public health care budget from existing one percent of GDP to two percent in the coming budget and accord industry status to healthcare sector.

Mr Harpal Singh, Chairman of Fortis Healthcare Limited, asked Finance Minister P Chidambaram to make a commitment for a three per cent allocation of GDP for the health care sector.

''Healthcare should be accorded Industry status to allow availability of funds at concessional interest rates. Hospital projects should be treated at par with any other infrastructure entity and a ten percent tax holiday should be extended to new hospital projects and existing hospitals, which are upgrading their facilities,'' Mr Singh said.

He also demanded augumentation of medical education infrastructure. It should be promoted and incentivised through tax exemptions and other special measures, he added.

UNI