Mr. Rajat Goel, Co-Founder of Eye Q Super Speciality Hospital
As the Co-Founder of Eye Q Super Speciality Hospital, a leading eye care hospital chain in India, Mr. Rajat Goel recognizes the urgent need for proactive measures to address the significant vision challenges faced by millions. With approximately 34 million people grappling with blindness or moderate to severe visual impairment, the economic impact on the nation is substantial. In anticipation of the Union Budget 2024, our expectations revolve around transformative initiatives. We urge the government to prioritize large-scale door-to-door eye screening, testing, and awareness programs, particularly in remote regions and among marginalized communities. Clearing the backlog of cataract surgeries, especially in tier-II and III towns, is paramount. To achieve this goal, we anticipate the budget to incentivize eye care hospital chains dedicated to ensuring accessibility, inclusivity, and maintaining high-quality eye care. Furthermore, a strategic reduction in GST and import taxes is crucial to enhance the affordability of health insurance and eye-care equipment.
Dr. Gorav Gupta, Psychiatrist and Co-Founder of Emoneeds
At Emoneeds, we eagerly anticipate the upcoming budget with optimism for groundbreaking initiatives in the mental health sector. In a country where there is just one psychiatrist for every two lakh people, increased accessibility to mental health services is crucial, especially as the population continues to rise. We strongly advocate for the allocation of resources to support awareness programs reaching all communities, with the goal of destigmatizing the act of seeking help when needed. A dedicated fund to address serious mental illnesses should be an integral component of this initiative. To combat alarming suicide rates among students and corporate employees, we propose the incorporation of emotional wellness programs in educational institutions and corporations to enhance accessibility and support. Including the reimbursement of mental health services in healthcare insurance would be a vital step in this direction. Recognizing the innovative solutions emerging from the Healthtech sector, we also urge the provision of a dedicated budget for startups leveraging deep technology.
