The allocation for the health sector increased from Rs24,171.95 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 27,164.91 crore in 2025-26 in the Budget presented by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, marking a 12.38 per cent rise.
However, its share in the overall budget has marginally declined from 3.61 per cent to 3.59 per cent.
As part of its long-term vision, the state government has also announced plans to introduce a new policy for senior citizens aimed at strengthening healthcare access and support systems for the elderly.
A key focus of this year’s budget is ensuring access to essential medicines, particularly for low-income groups and public hospitals. The government is expanding free medicine distribution schemes to reduce out-of-pocket expenses, ensuring that public hospitals and primary health centers (PHCs) receive additional funding to stock essential drugs. This move aims to prevent shortages, especially in rural and underserved areas.
To enhance efficiency in medicine procurement and supply, the state is investing in digital tracking systems to prevent stock shortages and ensure timely restocking.
Special attention has been given to life-saving drugs, particularly for tuberculosis (TB), malaria, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and hypertension, as Maharashtra continues to battle a high burden of infectious and chronic diseases.
The budget also emphasises pharmaceutical research and manufacturing, encouraging the production of generic medicines to make treatments more affordable. Public hospitals and government-run health centers will now be equipped with a wider range of essential medicines, reducing reliance on private suppliers.
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Additionally, substantial funding has been allocated for preventive healthcare programs, with provisions for free or subsidized vaccinations and medicine distribution drives across both urban and rural Maharashtra.
Recognising the growing health threats posed by climate change, the budget has earmarked funds for heatstroke prevention, air pollution-related respiratory treatments, and vector-borne disease control measures.