Panaji, Feb 3 (PTI) The announcement in the Union Budget about increase in medical seats will benefit Goa, state health minister Vishwajit Rane said on Monday.

Presenting the Budget for 2025-2026 on Saturday, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said 10,000 seats will be added in medical colleges next year towards the goal of adding 75,000 seats in the next five years.

"The Union budget has given thrust on medical education, which was a much needed initiative. The Union finance minister has announced a revolution in medical education by stating that additional 75,000 medical seats would be sanctioned. Goa will be one of the beneficiaries as the state is expecting 100 more seats for its MBBS course," Rane told reporters.

"The Budget reflects how Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to steer the nation towards progress. The announcement of day care cancer centres was the need of the hour since cases are rising in the country," Rane added.

In the Union Budget tabled in Parliament on February 1, there is provision for setting up day care cancer centres at all district hospitals over the next three years. Two hundred of these day care cancer centres would be established in 2025-26 itself.

Goa will benefit from the thrust on medical tourism, which in turn will boost the state's health and tourism sectors, Rane asserted.

"Such initiatives will attract international travellers to Goa in a bigger way," he added. PTI RPS BNM

Increase in medical seats aims to expand medical education capacity and will benefit Goa's healthcare and medical tourism. Union Budget announces expansion of medical education capacity via a substantial increase in undergraduate medical seats, with Goa expecting additional MBBS seats. The Budget also proposes establishment of day care cancer centres at district hospitals to decentralise oncology services, measures intended to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, expand access to specialised treatment, and support medical tourism in beneficiary states.