The Chhattisgarh government has earmarked ₹3,500 crore in its 2026-27 budget to significantly upgrade and expand healthcare infrastructure across the state. The allocation prioritizes new medical colleges, hospital expansions, advanced diagnostic equipment, rural health centre strengthening, and digital health integration to improve access, reduce referral burden, and enhance care quality, especially in tribal and remote districts.
Glimpse:
The ₹3,500 crore health sector outlay will fund the establishment of new medical colleges, modernization of district and civil hospitals, procurement of high-end equipment (MRI, CT, cath labs), strengthening of PHCs/CHCs, expansion of Ayushman Bharat facilities, and recruitment of medical staff. Special focus is on cancer care, cardiac services, maternal & child health, and preventive programs, with integration of AI and telemedicine to reach underserved tribal and rural areas.
Chhattisgarh Finance Minister presented the state’s 2026-27 budget with a substantial ₹3,500 crore allocation dedicated to the health and family welfare sector, underscoring the government’s priority on building a robust, accessible, and high-quality public healthcare system. The increased outlay aims to address critical infrastructure gaps, workforce shortages, and access barriers that have long affected the state’s tribal-dominated and geographically remote districts.
The budget includes funding for the establishment of several new medical colleges to increase MBBS and postgraduate seats, thereby improving the doctor-to-population ratio and strengthening medical education in underserved regions. Existing district hospitals and civil hospitals will undergo major upgradation, with new ICUs, modular operation theatres, dialysis units, trauma centres, and emergency wings being added in priority locations.
Diagnostic services will see a significant boost through procurement of advanced imaging equipment such as MRI machines, multi-slice CT scanners, digital X-ray systems, high-resolution ultrasound, and automated laboratory analysers. This will enable faster and more accurate diagnosis at the district level and reduce the need for patients to travel long distances to Raipur or other metros.
Primary and secondary care facilities, including primary health centres (PHCs), community health centres (CHCs), and sub-centres, will be refurbished and equipped with better infrastructure, telemedicine hubs, and maternal & child health services. The budget also provides for dedicated cancer care units, cardiac intervention centres, and high-risk pregnancy management programs in select hospitals.
The government has allocated additional funds for recruitment of doctors, specialists, nurses, and paramedics, along with incentives for professionals to serve in difficult and tribal areas. The budget strengthens Ayushman Bharat coverage, nutrition programs, and immunization drives to tackle malnutrition and vaccine-preventable diseases.
Officials emphasized that the investment will significantly reduce patient referrals to neighbouring states and metros, easing financial and logistical burdens on families. The allocation aligns with Chhattisgarh’s vision of equitable healthcare access, particularly in tribal and remote regions, while complementing national programs like Ayushman Bharat and the National Health Mission.
The health sector outlay is part of a broader budget focused on human development, infrastructure, and inclusive growth, with healthcare receiving one of the highest proportional increases compared to previous years.
“Health is the foundation of progress. This ₹3,500 crore allocation ensures quality care reaches every citizen of Chhattisgarh, especially in our tribal and remote areas.”
By
HB Team
