Don't fall ill, unless you're rich!

Most Hyderabadis don’t mind spending more on nutrition, fitness, and preventive medicine, and now, it turns out that they really don’t have a choice. Especially when it comes to healthcare expenses. A new study conducted by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) has found that Hyderabadis are spending much more on healthcare than ever before.Hospitals offering cutting edge services at staggering prices are a major contributor to the trend. Diagnostic tests, medical check-ups and advanced surgical processes demand a large chunk of the common man’s resources.
Dr G Vijay Kumar, medical superintendent at NIMS says, “Doctors suggest comprehensive yet expensive tests as a defensive practice to stay clear of claims of medical negligence made by consumer forums and audit bureaus. So instead of prescribing an X-ray, which can do the needful investigation, doctors prefer CT scans and MRIs. That obviously makes healthcare expensive.” The health industry is also progressing rapidly.
Unlike yesteryears, today Hyderabadis have access to a gamut of facilities that were not available in the city. The industry is making forays into fields such as Cardiology, Nephrology, Andocrinology, Orthopaedics and advanced stem-cell technology now. Hyderabad is one of those few places in all of South Asia that has the Pet CT Scan facility. There’s also access to more cardio CAT labs and cardio surgical units, unlike most other parts of the country. Even when it comes to tertiary beds, the city has the most of them.
Defending the expensive modes of treatment, CEO of Apollo Dr Hari Prasad explains, “In the past, people had to travel abroad for specific treatments, which turned out to be quite expensive. But today, all that plus skilled doctors are available here at a lesser cost. In fact, the city is now attracting many patients from foreign countries.”
Still a long way to go...
But the fact still remains that these state-of-the-art treatments can be expensive for the common man. Dr Prasad however explains, “That’s the reason why we need to make health insurance mandatory. People need to be informed about it. There’s an urgent need for awareness about health insurance. When you buy a bike you have to pay up the insurance. Why not be more particular about human life. It’s precious.”
Various health care plans help cover major expenses and others such as critical illness riders ease out earnings-lost, future medical expenses such as diagnostic check-ups and medication.
Vijay Reddy an associate with the Insurance Institute of India chips in, “70 per cent of middle class families’ savings are spent on healthcare. Sometimes people even end up selling their property to pay up their expenses. But investing in health insurance will make a difference. Insurance is something that you need not when you have an emergency but way in advance.
Studies show that the money you end up spending twice on a family outing at a restaurant, is all you need to pay for a whole year’s health insurance.”