New Delhi, Jan. 30 -- Strengthening health planning, boosting preventive care, improving affordability, tightening quality control and supporting 'Made in India' medical diagnostics are among the primary expectations from the upcoming Union Budget, according to experts from the insurance, pharmaceutical, diagnostics and hospital sectors.

Enhancing healthcare allocation and building a robust ecosystem focused on prevention rather than treatment have emerged as common themes among stakeholders.

According to Krishnan Ramachandran, MD & CEO, Niva Bupa Health Insurance, "We welcome the government's recognition of health insurance as an essential service and the progressive decision to exempt it from GST, which has significantly improved affo...