New Delhi: In a proposal to build skilled career pathways in healthcare, with a sharp focus on allied health professionals, caregivers, medical value tourism and traditional medicine, as part of a broader push to strengthen India’s health workforce and care systems, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlined a major initiative to expand the country’s traditional and integrative healthcare ecosystem in Budget 2026-27.
It proposed the establishment of five regional AYUSH-led medical hubs across the country. The Budget proposes a scheme to support States in developing five regional medical hubs. These centres are planned as integrated healthcare complexes that combine:
Traditional medicine services (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy)
Advanced diagnostic facilities
Post-treatment rehabilitation infrastructure
Alongside the regional hubs, the Budget announced the establishment of three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda (AIIA) to bolster education, clinical excellence and research in traditional medicine. These national-level institutes will expand training capacity for medical and allied health professionals.
The government also detailed plans to:
Create 10 new allied health disciplines — including optometry, anaesthesia, applied psychology and behavioural health
Train approximately one lakh allied health professionals over the next five years through expanded education and certification frameworks.
To enhance quality standards and global competitiveness, the Finance Minister proposed:
Upgradation of AYUSH pharmacies and drug testing laboratories for better quality control and international certification
Strengthening the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GTMC) in Jamnagar, Gujarat, as a global knowledge hub for evidence-based research and training in traditional medicine.
The Budget also outlined investments in the healthcare workforce, including plans to train 1.5 lakh caregivers over the next five years to support rising demand in elderly care, rehabilitation and long-term wellness sectors.
