Budget 2018's big boost to healthcare: Govt announces flagship scheme for 50 crore Indians

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has announced an ambitious and probably world's largest health protection scheme in his Union Budget 2018-19.

Under the National Health Protection Scheme, the government will provide Rs 5 lakh per family every year for secondary and tertiary hospital care. "This will be world's largest health protection scheme," said Arun Jaitley.

The National Health Protection Scheme aims to cover 10 crore poor and vulnerable families. According to the Finance Minister, this scheme will effectively cover 50 crore beneficiaries.