Consultancy Corner: Emphasis on preventive healthcare can save youth from lifestyle diseases

In 2015-2016, only 3 per cent of the budget was allocated towards non- communicable diseases. There has been a phenomenal shift in numbers from communicable diseases towards lifestyle and metabolic related disorders which can be prevented. However, with the rise in health awareness and drives from media and private health sector, we are now observing an increasing interest in preventive health among the educated crowd. However, more push from the public sectors is needed if we want to impact the entire population.

“Prevention is better than cure” is an understatement. It is better, simpler, faster and affordable than cure. Statistics from developed countries show that availing few of the preventive health services in the form of vaccinations, cancer screening, diet and lifestyle counselling has reduced the burden of chronic and terminal illnesses which has saved millions from the total healthcare expense. Not just the cost, the time lost also cannot be regained. As per the recent trends there are upside down figures in the lifestyle diseases, making preventive healthcare important for children and young adults. Diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular conditions have affected people in their late middle age and have started emerging in younger generations. To combat this, focus on preventive health earlier is the best solution.

Targeting the young and productive individuals of the nation for preventive healthcare would have best outcomes. They are an active and resourceful group, needing health interventions the most. Unfortunately, most individuals become health conscious around their 50s when prevention strategies become slim.

The Indian government has announced tax benefits on preventive health insurance and health check-ups. There is also a need for corporate companies to install preventive healthcare benefits for their employees that will benefit the employees and the organization With the aim to spread awareness about the importance of preventive healthcare among patients, the concerned departments in super specialty hospitals are providing a hassle-free experience to the patients and redefining the preventive healthcare space with advanced technology.

Our goal at preventive health department is to scrutinize all health-related factors, leaving no loose ends and treating individuals. Relying on the adage that “knowing is half work done”, we obtain a complete and detailed patient medical biography followed by a thorough clinical examination and counselling that includes discussing the current health status and imparting personalized diagnostic and treatment suggestions. We prefer doing preventive health screening as per international guidelines. Specialty consultations and diagnostics are advised by the primary physician depending on patient requirements to avoid unnecessary exposures and expenditure. We have designed the general health screenings from basic to advanced, depending on individual requirements.

With world class amenities and cutting-edge technology coming together, our health check-up experience is bound to be hassle-fee, with lesser waiting time at the hospital and ‘holistic’ at affordable prices. It would be ideal if our government follows other developed countries and allocate more time and money spent on preventive health so that it can be attained by anybody, at low or no cost. This will reduce the overall burden of healthcare expense and save lives.

With private hospitals gradually introducing high end technology based preventive healthcare along with the aid of government in backing up the same, we are hopeful in seeing a new era of preventive healthcare in the future.