Doctors: The Heartbeat of Healthcare in India

Today, as we celebrate Doctor's Day across India, it's an opportune moment to reflect on the profound role physicians play in the lives of patients. Like myself, being a doctor is not just about the profession, but an extraordinary opportunity and a journey marked by the privilege of healing and the responsibility of caring. This year's theme, "Healing Hands and Caring Hearts," resonates deeply as it underscores the essence of our noble profession.

Over the years, medicine has evolved dramatically with advancements in technology, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, which promise faster and more precise diagnoses. Yet, amidst these strides, challenges persist.

India faces an alarming increase in non-communicable diseases, with 10 lakh people dying from cancer each year and several lakhs dying from complications of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes. Access to healthcare remains challenging, with high costs and a lack of continuity of care. Education on health care for the public in the realm of personal care is the true need of the hour, particularly in terms of self-discipline and best practices. Physicians alone cannot provide the desired results in maintaining community health. Patient responsibility by seeking regular physical checkups and follow-up care for chronic non-communicable diseases and understanding the preventive guidelines for disease are extremely important. Belief in spiritualism and a superior power alone that disease will heal or be solved is a great misconception. Unfortunately, this ideology plagues millions of people in our country. As a consequence, it adds to the significant costs of care burden. When treating cancer patients in late stage, similarly any non-communicable disease or communicable disease presenting in late stage, not only adds to personal disease burden but significantly impacts the cost of care. In India, over 20 lakh people are diagnosed with cancer in the late stages, often due to not seeking help when they are first symptomatic. So as physicians, we should recognize the critical role of preventive care and public education in mitigating these challenges. Encouraging regular check-ups, healthy lifestyles, and timely medical consultations can significantly impact health outcomes. The disparity in healthcare access in our country is exacerbated by low per capita healthcare spending, highlighting the momentous need for subsidized healthcare and enhanced insurance coverage.

India has made a significant stride in healthcare by producing more than 1.5 lakh primary and specialty doctors annually thus addressing the major issue of the doctor-patient ratio in recent times. In many Tier 1 cities, the doctor-patient ratio often exceeds the World Health Organization's recommended standards. This certainly would improve better access to healthcare for patients in India. This change is placing us in a more favorable situation when compared to many developed countries in the world with regards to timely and cost effective care.

Many western nations, in particular the United States, are battling with the big problem of access to health care. Often, patients have to wait several weeks or months to see a specialist physician. Waiting three months for someone suspected of having cancer or several months for someone newly diagnosed with a lump in the breast to be further investigated is not humane. Similarly, waiting to see a neurologist for someone with Parkinson's disease who is unable to seek medical advice is also not humane. So as a physician who has practiced and spent four decades of my professional career in the US and the past decade in India, I feel we are in a better place today, as such waits are not happening in our country. Hence I strongly feel we are truly at an inflection point in health care. Let us harness this momentum to build a more inclusive and robust healthcare system. Let us bridge the gaps in access, affordability, and quality of care, ensuring that every citizen can lead a healthier, more fulfilling life.

I strongly advocate health insurance for individuals and families and consider this a necessity. Health insurance empowers individuals and families with timeless health care, preventing disease worsening and delayed treatment. Having health insurance enables emergency care in patients, daycare procedures and other treatments. However often patients do not recognize the value of health insurance. In our country, insurance premiums are remarkably affordable, relative to the broad coverage they provide. For instance, a family can secure coverage for significant healthcare expenses with an annual premium as low as 25,000 to 35,000 rupees for 5 to 10 lakh of insurance coverage. This financial safeguard is critical, especially considering that healthcare costs for conditions like diabetes can consume up to a quarter of a family's annual income, particularly if complications arise.

Unlike in many Western countries where comprehensive health coverage is standard but comes at huge premium costs in India we are witnessing a gradual shift towards recognizing the importance of insurance. It not only provides financial security but also ensures timely access to quality healthcare, thereby potentially saving lives as a shield against the unpredictable costs of illness. The recent reforms by the insurance regulatory authority, particularly allowing coverage for pre-existing conditions without waiting periods, mark a significant step forward. This change democratizes access to healthcare by making insurance more inclusive and accessible to all, regardless of their health history.

On this Doctor's Day, I urge every individual and family to prioritize health insurance coverage. It's not merely a safety net against unexpected medical expenses but a proactive step towards securing your family's health and financial well-being. Road accidents, sudden illnesses, and even cancer can strike unexpectedly, but with insurance coverage, the burden doesn't have to fall solely on families and also yet times bankrupt.

Finally, I pledge to our citizens that, as a physician, I have spent my whole life providing empathic care, listening to patients, and giving my time at the expense of everything, including my family. It is the virtue of every physician to ensure that it is not merely about diagnosing a disease or treating an ailment, nor an individual's fame or degrees and diplomas, but that patient care is always exhibiting empathy and listening to patients, knowing their families, and establishing the right approach of care that will not be burdensome. Patient care should always manifest in empathetic approach, keen listening and understanding of families and formulating appropriate and cost-effective treatment always. Let us all come together today and embolden the trust of our patients in us and our communities across all cultures gracefully, and continue to cherish the concept of nobility in our profession. Let us become that extraordinary brand of accountability to patients, society, and the profession, with a commitment to excellence and on-going professional development. With this, there will be no turning back! Trust me!

I wish the entire medical fraternity a fantastic year with our "Healing Hands and Caring Hearts,"

Dr. Guru N. Reddy
MBBS, MD, FACP, FACG, FASGE, AGAF
Founder & Chairman, Continental Hospital