Maharashtra Budget 2026–27: Urban Health Commissionerate, ₹4,500 Crore Screening Programme and Digital Health Mission Announced

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Budget 2026–27 outlines a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening public healthcare infrastructure, expanding disease screening programmes and introducing digital health systems across the state.

Presenting the Budget in the Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government aims to ensure accessible and affordable healthcare while expanding medical infrastructure and specialised research facilities.

One of the major announcements is the Pragati Yojana, a statewide health screening programme estimated to cost ₹4,500 crore, which will focus on early detection of diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart ailments in rural areas. The programme will be implemented with support from the Asian Development Bank.

The government also announced the creation of a new Urban Health Commissionerate, which will oversee implementation of national health programmes and strengthen healthcare services in 29 municipal corporations, 247 municipal councils and 147 nagar panchayats across Maharashtra.

To modernise the healthcare system, the Budget proposes the establishment of the Maharashtra Digital Health Technology Mission, which will create a digital ecosystem for public health services and enable real-time monitoring and data-driven decision-making in the health sector.

Under the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, the government has expanded the scope of medical treatments covered under the schemes. The number of procedures covered has been increased from 1,356 to 2,399, while the number of empanelled hospitals has increased from 1,792 to 4,537.

The government has also approved financial assistance of up to ₹22 lakh for nine categories of high-cost organ transplant treatments through the State Health Assurance Society.

To strengthen public health research and training, the government has announced the establishment of the Maharashtra Public Health Institution at Nagpur, which will function as a centre for advanced training and research in public health.

In addition, the Budget highlighted expansion of medical education infrastructure in the state. Construction work is currently underway at 11 newly approved government medical colleges, while a master plan is being prepared to integrate the facilities of the Swami Ramanand Teerth Rural Government Medical College in Ambajogai.

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The government also said funds will be provided for strengthening district hospitals and other public health institutions across the state, including expansion of the district hospital in Beed with a 360-bed facility, nursing college and hostel.

According to the government, these initiatives are aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery systems, expanding medical infrastructure and improving access to quality healthcare services across Maharashtra.