Online report : Preventive Health Care and Indian industry roles and responsibilities

Health is a basic fundamental right of all citizens and health promotion forms an intrinsic part of health care. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Health is a state of complete physical, social and mental well-being and not merely an absence of a disease or infirmity.
In recent years, this statement has been modified to include the ability to lead a socially and economically productive life". Preventive health care1 is an important determinant of health since prevention means avoiding or slowing the course of a disease which is essential for a good quality of life. Investment in human capital leads to a healthy and educated populace which is in a better position to contribute to the growth of the economy through its employability, creativity and productivity.

According to industry analysts, there has been a growth of 25 per cent in the preventive health care market over the past five years. There is a growing consciousness about healthrelated issues among people, giving a boost to preventive health check-ups in hospitals.

Annual health check-ups, which were largely the privilege of corporate executives, are now being sought after by the middle class as well.

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5 star diagnostics facility catering to the India's rich and famous : Business review of Health 360 in Mumbai, India : How many people in India can afford these kind of services ???

Review of Health 360 from their online web site :

Nothing in your life is a compromise. Why should your health be any different?
Health 360, India's finest diagnostic and health checkup centre at Marine Lines, Mumbai is established with this philosophy in mind.
With the backing of over 25 years of experience from radiologist Dr. Nilesh Shah, Health 360 takes diagnostic and preventive care in India to an unprecedented level. Offering end to end pathology and diagnostic imaging tests, Health 360 has also installed the world's fastest 64 slice Cardiac CT Scanner and South East Asia's first 32 Channel Whole Body MRI.

Spread over a luxurious setting of 10,000 square feet, the atmosphere coupled with excellent one-on-one service from the Guest Relation Executives, immediately puts one at ease. With the latest medical technology installed in large, spacious rooms, and qualified doctors and technicians, one is ensured of the highest quality diagnostic testing at Health 360. All reporting physicians are trained at the world's finest healthcare institutions to ensure optimal report quality.
One is provided with a variety of full body health checkup plans at Health 360. The plans include a comprehensive range of tests including advanced cancer and cardiac markers, Cardiac CT, and Whole Body MRI. In addition, the world's most advanced Mammography and DEXA Bone Densitometry equipments for breast cancer and osteoporosis screening respectively, are installed at Health 360. With the kind of quality provided at Health 360, test reports are accepted at the leading healthcare institutions in the world.

Health 360 also provides corporate health checkups for over 500 companies in India.

See their rich and famous clientele:

At Health 360 our Patrons come from all over the world. Within India, clients include Company Directors, Senior Government Officials, Bollywood Stars and other eminent personalities.

Outside of India, Health 360 is a preferred destination for clients from the Middle East, UK, Africa, USA, and Canada.

Some of our clientele include

Mr. Adi Godrej: Chairman, Godrej Industries
Mr. Anil Ambani- Chairman, Reliance
Mr. Mukesh Ambani- Chairman, Reliance Industries
Mr. Uday Kotak- Chairman, Kotak Group
Mr. Vilasarao Deshmukh-Maharashtra Chief Minister

Mr. Aamir Khan- Actor
Ms. Bipasha Basu - Actress
Ms. Kajol - Actress
Ms. Kareena Kapoor - Actress
Mr. Shahrukh Khan - Actor

What could be their prices be ???

To know more visit their website : http://www.health360.in/

Online Report : Indian council for research on International economic relations : Impact of Preventive Health care on Indian Industry and Economy Findings and Policy Recommendations by Ali Mehdi

Key Facts & Findings:

• Per capita government health expenditure in India is one of the lowest in the world – US$7, as against US$2,548 in the United States.
  

• The estimated loss in India's national income as a result of heart diseases,stroke and diabetes in 2005 was US$9 billion, and this is projected to exceed US$200 billion over the next 10 years.
  

• Almost a quarter of respondent firms lose approximately 14 per cent of their annual working days due to sickness.
  

• In a highly competitive corporate environment, companies cannot afford the absence of their employees due to sickness, etc., or a poor performance atthe workplace due to poor health.
  

• Preventive health care is the most cost-effective strategy not only for a country with scarce financial resources, but also for resource-rich companies whose rising health spending is affecting their business results and competitiveness.
  

• More than 80 per cent of American companies with 50 or more employees have some form of preventive health care programmes for their employees.
  

• Two-thirds of respondent firms in India have preventive health care as part of their corporate governance strategy. However, only less than one-third make provision for the whole range of preventive health care measures for their employees.
  

• Well-designed employee wellness programmes create 25 per cent reduction in health-plan costs, sick leave, disability pay and workers' compensation.
  

• Reducing just one health risk increases an employee's on-the-job productivity by 9 per cent and cuts absenteeism by 2 per cent.
  

• 82 per cent of respondent firms agree that preventive health care measures increase a firm's productivity and profitability.
  

• 98 per cent of respondent employees who have undergone preventive health check-ups felt that these were beneficial in terms of a better quality of life and performance at work. Even those who did not undergo such check-ups felt  that such benefits accrue.
  

• 91 per cent of respondent employees want employers to offer preventive health care vouchers to them.

Please read the complete report at http://bit.ly/rekW5T

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