Experts push for duty cuts on cancer care

December 31, 2024 10:49

Nirmala Sitharaman at the pre-Budget meet

Health and education experts urged Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to address issues related to cancer care equipment, health and education spending, and increase focus on teachers' training under the National Education Policy 2020.

"A reduction in the customs duty of radiation machines, such as linear accelerators, is important, as these are imported as standard machines, that are currently not available in the country. This will help in providing cancer care to many," said Dr Kailash Sharma, director of the Mumbai-based Tata Memorial Centre.

This comes after several Indian medical device manufacturers have raised concerns over the import of pre-owned and second-hand high-end and high-value medical equipment.

"Among other subjects that were discussed was regarding the expansion of cancer care to far-off regional areas," said Abhijat Sheth, president of National Board of Examinations.

He denied any discussions taking place regarding medical education. Experts from the education sector asked the government to effectively expedite the implementation of the NEP 2020.

"There was a discussion on various aspects of implementation such as vocational education and teacher training, especially training teachers in the Anganwadis," said Raj Nehru, vice-chancellor, Shri Vishwakarma Skill University, Haryana. Apart from the discussion on furthering school education, experts discussed on how to leverage technology, AI and digital education in India.

"This included usage of tech-driven solutions to increase the gross enrollment ratio, and a need to raise the allocation for education," he said.

-- Sanket Koul/Business Standard

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