Illness and subsequent complications are on a rise around the world. This is despite the incredible improvements in health since 1950.

Consider this…
 

• One billion people lack access to health care systems.
• 36 million people die each year from non-communicable diseases. These include cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic lung diseases. (This is almost two-thirds of the estimated 56 million deaths each year worldwide. A quarter of these take place before the age of 60.)
• Tuberculosis kills 1.7 million people each year, with 9.4 million new cases a year.
• Malaria causes some 225 million acute illnesses and over 780,000 deaths every year.
• 1.6 million people still die from pneumococcal diseases every year. Half of the victims are children. The irony is there are vaccines available to prevent it.

The list goes on...

We tend to ignore our health, until it is too late. "Dekhlenge yaar; kuch nahi hoga" (Nothing will happen to us. We'll look into it when it does) - is the working man's chorus.

To cope up with the rising risk of the medical disorders, health monitors have become mandatory.

Regular check-ups help to arrest health problems at an early stage, thus making it easier to treat them. Hospitals and other service providers offer preventive health check-up plans today.

The purpose is to screen each organ to detect the smallest symptom of a major disease. The check-up helps to identify minor ailments which are constant irritants.

Some of the hospitals offering preventive health check-up plans are:
 

• Apollo Hospitals
• Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), New Delhi
• Max Health Care
• SevenHills Hospital
• Fortis Health Care etc

Other services providers are:
 

• Thyrocare
• Suburban Diagnostics
• Phadke Labs
• Indus Health Plus
• Prognohealth
• NM Medical etc

Hospitals and diagnostic centres offer different packages. You have to read their brochure carefully and check the offer made by competitors.

For example, Indian Health Organisation (IHO) offers 3 plans:
 

• Comprehensive Treatment Plan (Rs 3,530/year)
• Freedom Preventive Health Plan (Rs 4,650/year)
• Classic Family Consultation Plan (Rs 5,880/year)

In the recently launched Classic Family Consultation Plan, the company offers the following benefits:
 
(Source: Website of Indian Health Organisation)

You receive discounts at 16,500 centres
 
(Source: Website of Indian Health Organisation)

IHO has tied up with the following partners:
 

• Fortis Hospitals
• Apollo Hospitals
• Global Hospitals
• Max Healthcare
• Wokhardt Hospitals
• Vasan Eye Care Hospitals etc.

Some of the general instructions that one should follow are as follows:
 

• Make a prior appointment. Most hospitals offer preventive health check-up only by prior appointment. Some hospitals suggest doing the tests on empty stomach. Doctors advise fasting for 12 hours prior to taking these tests.
• Avoid alcohol intake 24 hours before the day of testing.
• Kindly inform the receptionist if you are diabetic, hypertensive, or under specific treatment. Diabetics and high BP patients can have their regular medicines.
• Please carry all your earlier health records (if any).
• Wear loose clothing and removable footwear. Avoid wearing jewellery or any metallic object. A comprehensive test takes approximately 4 to 6 hours.
• Consult the doctor on receiving the health reports.

To Conclude…

There is no doubt that "Prevention is better than cure". The amount paid for the packages are eligible for deductions under Sec 80 D of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Some diagnostic centres offer packages on EMI with a money-back guarantee.

Recognising that cost of healthcare is on a rise, it is best to have an optimum health insurance cover in place to safeguard your financial well-being as well. Besides, in order to handle any life emergencies, follow contingency planning.

Remember: "If wealth is lost, something is lost; but if health is lost, everything is lost"

Add Comments