Government needs to be more active on health insurance: Dr. Sushil Agarwal

Dr. Sushil Agarwal, a renowned healthcare expert, has emphasized the need for greater awareness and accessibility of health insurance in India. Speaking in Kolkata, Dr. Agarwal stated that healthcare is a significant issue in the country, yet there is a lack of awareness among people about the importance of health insurance.

He compared the necessity of health insurance to that of vehicle insurance, noting that while accidents occur only in 2-3% of cases, health problems can arise in 30-40% of cases.

Dr. Agarwal highlighted the recent passage of a law imposing a fine of Rs 10,000 for driving a vehicle without insurance, and noted that a similar emphasis on health insurance is lacking. He criticized the government's recent campaign to promote the installation of set-top boxes, arguing that health insurance is a far more critical priority.

Dr. Agarwal also discussed the negative consequences of not having health insurance, including financial stress, poverty, and disputes with healthcare providers. He noted that the mentality of patients has deteriorated, and there is increasing competition to obtain discounts on treatment costs. However, if patients had health insurance, many of these problems could be alleviated.

Finally, Dr. Agarwal identified the three main factors in healthcare: expenses, diagnosis, and negligence. He argued that doctors generally do not intend to be negligent, and excessive expenses can often result from delayed or incorrect diagnosis. He suggested that widespread adoption of health insurance could help to address these issues and reduce healthcare costs by 70-80%.

Dr. Agarwal's remarks underscore the urgent need for greater awareness and accessibility of health insurance in India, particularly given the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.