New Delhi, March 24 The Delhi government has allocated over 12.5 per cent of its total budget to the healthcare sector in FY 2026–27, amounting to about Rs 13,034 crore, with provisions for free genetic testing for newborns, expansion of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, inclusion of transgender persons under the PM-JAY scheme, and a push for better healthcare infrastructure.
Chief Minister and Finance Minister Rekha Gupta presented a Rs 1.03 lakh crore budget for FY27 on Tuesday, announcing several welfare initiatives. The health allocation represents an increase of 1 per cent from Rs 12,893 crore in 2025–26.
"This year, we focus on 'Accessible Healthcare and Secure Life'. The goal is to build a strong, accessible, and affordable healthcare system, from primary to intensive care, where treatment is a right, not a privilege," Gupta said.
A key highlight is the launch of the ANMOL (Advanced Newborn Monitoring for Optimal Lifecare) scheme with an allocation of Rs 25 crore. Under this initiative, 56 types of tests will be conducted using a single drop of blood from newborns, completely free of cost in both public and private hospitals.
"Children are dear to all; they are 'anmol'. To prevent genetic disorders, which are extremely expensive to treat, we are launching this scheme," the Chief Minister said.
The government also announced the inclusion of transgender persons under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), with a proposed allocation of Rs 202 crore. The scheme has already been expanded to cover over 7.5 lakh beneficiaries, including ASHA workers, anganwadi workers, widows, and persons with disabilities.
"As I met them, they told me that their biggest issue is getting proper treatment, often forcing them to go to private hospitals. We have now added them to the list," she said.
Under PM-ABHIM, 370 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have already been operationalised, and more than 750 new centres will be established in 2026–27 with an allocation of Rs 1,500 crore.
To make healthcare services more responsive and efficient, the government will introduce a Real-Time Ventilator Bed Vacancy Monitoring System across both private and government hospitals.
"People can easily know which hospitals have available ventilators and ICU beds," Gupta said, adding that patients will be able to directly go to such hospitals for quicker treatment without hassle.
The government will also introduce a digital blood bank and donor registry to provide real-time information on blood availability and donors, including details of blood units.
On infrastructure, Rs 515 crore has been earmarked to complete hospital projects in Madipur, Siraspur, Hastsal, and Jwalapuri.
"Seven ICU hospitals left incomplete by the previous government will be completed with Rs 150 crore," Gupta said.
Hospitals such as Rao Tula Ram Memorial Hospital, Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, and Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital will be upgraded under the Special Assistance to States/UTs for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme to strengthen infrastructure with the help of the Centre.
Work on incomplete projects at Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Hospital and Satyawadi Raja Harish Chandra Hospital will also be completed.
In addition, 11 integrated public health laboratories and nine critical care blocks will be developed with support from the Centre.
"At Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital, a new trauma centre will also be constructed with an allocation of Rs 200 crore," she said. An allocation of Rs 787 crore has been made for the purchase of medical equipment and supplies through the Central Procurement Agency (CPA).
To boost medical education, undergraduate (UG) seats will be increased from 595 to 820, while postgraduate (PG) seats will be increased from 553 to 762.
Gupta said a medical college will be constructed at Indira Gandhi Hospital in Dwarka with an allocation of Rs 50 crore.
She also announced that the hostels at Maulana Azad Medical College, which have been in a dilapidated condition for years, will be redeveloped, with construction of separate new hostels for male and female students to begin in 2026–27 with an allocation of Rs 50 crore.
The government further highlighted that the Delhi State AYUSH Society, established last year, will receive Rs 60 crore in 2026-27, under which five centres have already been set up.