T.N. Budget: Health Allocation Up 6.6% to ₹23,357 Crore, Focus on Elderly and Maternity Care
Tamil Nadu has allocated ₹23,357 crore for healthcare in its latest budget, marking a 6.6% increase over the previous allocation of ₹21,905 crore. The year before, the State had provided ₹20,197 crore, indicating a steady rise in health spending.
Presented as part of the annual budget, the health outlay includes several new initiatives aimed at expanding access to care for vulnerable groups. These include 1,000 Mobile Geriatric Treatment Centres, maternity centres named 'Thai Care,' and a hub-and-spoke model for cancer care and telemedicine.
Under the geriatric programme, each mobile centre will have a doctor, nurse, and physiotherapist who will visit every village panchayat. They will provide free check-ups and distribute medicines for chronic conditions. The State has set aside ₹33 crore for this initiative, which will be rolled out in phases.
The 'Thai Care' scheme is designed to support pregnant women in the final weeks before delivery. Women can stay at these centres to receive free meals, medical care, and continuous monitoring. This ₹23 crore intervention aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality risks.
Cancer care receives a significant push with a hub-and-spoke system. Five zonal hospitals will serve as primary centres for patients and engage in research. In addition, a telemedicine network will link five specialist hubs to 200 spokes at Primary Health Centres and government hospitals. Funded by ₹18.5 crore, the network is expected to grow to 1,000 hubs and spokes within five years, ensuring specialised consultation reaches remote areas.
The government has also increased funding for medicines by ₹100 crore to maintain smooth supply. The allocation is intended to prevent shortages in government hospitals and primary care facilities.
A notable budget item is the 'Thai Maaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam,' for which ₹560 crore has been provided as a revised estimate. Under this scheme, every newborn delivered in a government hospital receives a one-gram gold ring. The scheme has elicited mixed reactions, with some questioning its utility relative to other health needs, but the government has chosen to continue it.
Despite the increased funding, the budget has drawn criticism from healthcare workers. The Tamil Nadu Nurses Empowerment Association stated that the budget does not benefit government employees and healthcare staff. The association pointed out that there is no announcement on regularising nurses employed on a consolidated pay basis or on new recruitments. It said this oversight could weaken service delivery, especially in rural hospitals.
Nevertheless, the higher allocation signals a continued focus on healthcare. The establishment of mobile geriatric units and maternity centres addresses the needs of aging and maternal populations, while the cancer care network aims to provide specialised treatment closer to home. The effectiveness of these measures will depend on timely implementation and adequate staffing, which remains a concern for many health professionals.
With health spending now above ₹23,000 crore, Tamil Nadu is making a substantial fiscal commitment to public health. As the budget moves to implementation, the focus will be on converting these allocations into visible improvements in patient care.
