Preventive Health Care : Press Information Bureau : Government of India : Preventive Healthcare in India is still at Early Stages: Dr. Ramadoss

Inaugurating the seminar on Impact of Preventive Healthcare on Indian Industry and Economy organized by Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), today, the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss said preventive, as opposed to curative health care has become the preferred option in most developed countries as it allows employees to be more productive. However preventive healthcare in India is still at early stages. I think we need to confront this problem with more compassion, commitment and concentration. It is my belief that the Health Policy should be even more forthcoming on this point and take firm steps to achieve this objective.

Shri Naresh Dayal, Secretary (HFW), Shri Parthasarathi Shome, Adviser to Union Finance Minister, Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Director and Chief Executive, ICRIER, and other senior officials of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and members of ICRIER were also present at the meeting.

The following is the summary of the Health Minister's speech:

The need for preventive versus curative healthcare is partly attributed to the changing corporate environment in India. In recent times with greater globalization and urbanization there is a greater amount of stress in companies leading to adverse lifestyle choices.

There are individual and group level initiatives, which can improve business effectiveness and the quality of executive and employees lives. Companies can design programs that help stimulate healthy work environments that people want to be in. The rising costs of healthcare are taking a significant toll on every company's profits. The leading contributor is lifestyle choices- and questions that corporates need to ask themselves is: are their employees sedentary, over their ideal weight, struggling with aging parents, growing children and a demanding career.

There is an urgent need to adopt measures to reduce absenteeism, increase employee productivity and reduce healthcare expenditure. According to a study by the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine reducing just one health risk, increases on-the-job productivity by 9% and cuts absenteeism by 2%. Today, stress is a part of everyday life and the workplace is definitely no exception. Deadlines need to be met, long hours at the office, rapidly changing technology affect how we work, and interpersonal conflicts are just some of the stresses coped with daily.

There has to be greater play for private participation in the health sector. Several innovative financing mechanisms have to be institutionalized. India has the potential to be at the forefront of modern health care, given its strong base in quality health care professionals and cost effective research. India has the opportunity to harness these strengths to deliver quality health care not only for its people but to larger geographical regions as well. India has to see health not as a social cost but as an investment in human capital for economic growth.

Please read the complete speech at : http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=31201