The Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 23,357 crore to the Health and Family Welfare Department in the 2026-27 Budget, an increase of Rs 1,451 crore, or 6.6 per cent, over the previous year. The allocation is also Rs 1,267 crore, or 5.7 per cent, higher than the interim budget presented earlier this year, with additional funding planned for cancer care, geriatric healthcare, chronic disease management and high-risk pregnancies.
Focus on Cancer Care
Presenting the Budget in the Assembly on Wednesday, Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson said the additional allocation would support new healthcare initiatives and improve access to specialist medical services, particularly for people in rural areas.
The Budget comes amid a rising cancer burden in Tamil Nadu. According to the figures cited in the report, new cancer cases increased from 69,517 in 2017 to 76,968 in 2021 and are projected to reach 103,707 in 2026.
To establish an initial point of contact for patients and initiate a cancer research facility, Rs 10 crore has been earmarked to complete the project report for five zonal cancer hospitals. The proposed centres will follow a hub-and-spoke model aimed at bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to patients.
Mobile Geriatric Units for Elderly Care
The Budget also focuses on the state’s ageing population. The proportion of people aged 60 years and above has increased from 10.6 per cent in 2011 and is projected to reach 20.8 per cent by 2036, meaning one in five residents could be elderly.
To expand healthcare access for older people, Rs 33 crore has been earmarked in phases for 1,000 mobile geriatric treatment units. Each unit will include a doctor, nurse and physiotherapist and will visit villages to provide free check-ups and medicines for chronic conditions.
The initiative is intended to improve access to geriatric healthcare for people who may otherwise have to travel long distances for routine medical services.
Telemedicine Network for Specialist Care
The state has also proposed a telemedicine network based on a hub-and-spoke model. The initial network will connect five specialist-staffed hubs with 200 primary health centres and government hospitals.
The project has received a budget allocation of Rs 18.5 crore, with plans to expand the network to 1,000 hubs at a later stage. The initiative is expected to particularly benefit rural patients by enabling specialist consultations without requiring long-distance travel.
The medicine budget has also been increased by Rs 100 crore to meet the growing requirement for treatment of hypertension, diabetes and cancer, particularly as screening and early detection lead to more patients requiring continued treatment.
Maternal and Child Healthcare
The Budget also includes measures aimed at strengthening maternal and child healthcare. According to the figures cited in the report, around 99 per cent of births in Tamil Nadu take place in institutional settings, while the infant mortality rate is 11 per 1,000 live births.
Government hospitals account for at least 53 per cent of total deliveries. The National Sample Survey Office 80th round health survey found that average personal expenditure for a delivery in a public hospital is around Rs 1,200, including travel, food and miscellaneous expenses, compared with nearly Rs 67,000 in private hospitals.
Gold Ring Scheme for Newborns
To encourage more families to choose government hospitals for childbirth, the state has allocated Rs 560 crore for the “Thai Maaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam”. Under the scheme, every newborn delivered in a government hospital will be entitled to a one-gram gold ring.
The government has also approved Rs 23 crore for the “Thai Care” programme, which will provide funding for maternity support centres across the state. These centres will offer food, medical care and regular check-ups around the time of delivery.
Important Highlights
• Tamil Nadu has allocated Rs 23,357 crore to the Health and Family Welfare Department for 2026-27.
• The health allocation is Rs 1,451 crore, or 6.6 per cent, higher than the previous year.
• Rs 10 crore has been earmarked for the project report for five proposed zonal cancer hospitals.
• Rs 33 crore will be invested in phases for 1,000 mobile geriatric treatment units.
• Rs 18.5 crore has been allocated for an initial telemedicine network connecting five specialist hubs with 200 primary health centres and government hospitals.
• Rs 560 crore has been allocated for the “Thai Maaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam” and Rs 23 crore for the “Thai Care” programme.
