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Budget 2024: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the interim budget for the financial year 2024-25 in the Lok Sabha today. She announced several major schemes for women. The government has decided to increase the target of the Lakhpati Didi Yojana from 2 crore to 3 crore. Sitharaman said that the Lakhpati Didi Yojana will be promoted, and so far, one crore women have become Lakhpati Didis under this scheme.

Relief from Cervical Cancer

The government addressed the challenges faced by women in the health sector in the budget. The announcement to increase cervical cancer vaccination was made in this budget. Attention will be given to reducing the risks of cancer by vaccinating girls aged 9-14.

Says Parimal Heda, Chief Investment Officer, Digit General Insurance, “Cervical cancer contributes to approximately 6–29% of all cancers in Indian women, the treatment for which can be very expensive. Encouraging early vaccination will help in nipping the issue of rising cervical cancer cases in the bud. The announcements made towards managing immunization and nutrition delivery for maternal and child healthcare also clearly establishes the government’s intent of creating a robust preventive healthcare ecosystem in the country.

Benefits of Ayushman Yojana for Asha Sisters

While promoting this scheme, the government has decided to increase its target from two crore to three crore. Approximately 9 crore women’s lives have changed with this scheme. The Finance Minister said that in the upcoming general elections, the present government will again receive the mandate, and in the next 5 years, we will define a new meaning of development. Not only that, the Ayushman Yojana will also benefit Asha sisters. She mentioned that the Anganwadi programs will be accelerated. Presenting the interim budget in Parliament, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that all Asha workers, Anganwadi workers, and helpers will also be covered under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana.

Says Heda “Expanding the scope of the Ayushman Bharat health insurance coverage to all ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers and helpers will bring an additional over 2 million health workers under the insurance umbrella and is a thoughtful token of appreciation.”

“The social security this provides will aid in redefining healthcare in our country and further strengthen the grassroot-level healthcare ecosystem on a whole. However, expanding the scope of insurance coverage from the current Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh in the future can ensure this vulnerable segment is adequately protected against rising medical inflation and healthcare costs in the future”, he further notes.