Union Budget 2026-27 Draws Criticism for Inadequate Focus on Women's Health and Care Infrastructure
The recently presented Union Budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 has sparked significant concern among public health advocates, particularly regarding its perceived neglect of women-centric health and care systems. While the overall health allocation has seen a modest increase, experts argue that the budget fails to address critical gaps that disproportionately affect women, who form the backbone of India's healthcare workforce and demographic future.
Modest Health Allocation Increase Masks Deeper Issues
The budget reveals an overall health allocation rise from Rs 95,957.87 crore to Rs 1,01,709.21 crore, representing a slight 6% increase. A comparable uptick of 5.81 percent is observed in the National Health Mission (NHM). However, this superficial growth conceals troubling reductions in specific areas vital to women's welfare.
Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India, expressed strong reservations, stating, "Whether in healthcare, safety or livelihoods, women continue to be asked to do more. That is not how economies grow, nor how demographic dividends are realised." She emphasized that women-led development should not be treated as a mere welfare agenda but as central to India's economic future.
Family Welfare and Reproductive Health Funding Declines
Despite the overall increase, NHM funding for family welfare has decreased from Rs 1,536.97 crore to Rs 1,524.74 crore, with family welfare capital outlays dropping by 1.65 percent. These allocations are crucial for supporting outreach programs, frontline worker training, maternity care, and contraception access.
Muttreja highlighted the alarming nature of this reduction, noting, "It is deeply concerning that family welfare allocations are shrinking even as demographic trends show stark regional variation in fertility and unmet need. Reproductive choice cannot be sustained on stagnant or declining budgets." This cutback occurs at a time when targeted interventions are essential to address diverse reproductive health needs across the country.
Inadequate Investment in Childcare and Nutrition
The budget also falls short in addressing childcare and nutrition, key enablers of women's workforce participation. Allocations for Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0 have risen by only 5 percent, which experts deem insufficient given persistent challenges:
- Ongoing child malnutrition issues
- Growing demand for full-day childcare services
- The expanding role of Anganwadis as multifunctional centers
Muttreja criticized this underfunding, stating, "Anganwadis are expected to be nutrition centres, preschools, health hubs, and childcare facilities, but they are funded as if care is not integral. Women cannot work if childcare systems remain weak." This inadequate support undermines the critical infrastructure needed to facilitate women's economic engagement.
Frontline Health Workers Remain Overlooked
A particularly glaring omission in the budget is the lack of substantial support for the women who form the backbone of India's health system. Nearly one million Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and thousands of Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) continue to operate under challenging conditions:
- Low remuneration and financial insecurity
- Limited professional recognition and career advancement opportunities
- Expanding responsibilities without commensurate support
Muttreja pointed out, "When most gender spending is folded into general schemes, women become invisible beneficiaries. In the absence of clear targeting, intent rarely translates into impact." This systemic oversight risks demoralizing the very workforce essential for delivering healthcare at the grassroots level.
Broader Implications for India's Demographic Future
The budget's shortcomings extend beyond immediate healthcare concerns to broader economic and demographic implications. Muttreja warned, "If Budget 2026 does not decisively invest in women's health, safety and care systems, we risk missing our demographic opportunity." This sentiment underscores the interconnectedness of women's well-being and national prosperity.
As India navigates its demographic transition, targeted investments in women's health, childcare, and frontline worker support are not merely social expenditures but strategic economic imperatives. The current budget's approach, critics argue, may hinder progress toward realizing the full potential of India's human capital and sustainable development goals.
