Cerebral palsy is a group of conditions impacting movement and posture. It's caused by damage that has occured to a child's developing brain. The word “cerebral” refers to the workings of the brain, and "palsy" referes to issues with using the muscles. Cerebral palsy is a disability commonly seen in young children that occurs as a result of damage to the brain during fetal development. The signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy show up early in childhood and also affect a child’s vision, hearing, and sensation. Let us explore the main cerebral palsy symptoms.

What are the Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy?

The main signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy include:

• Head size differences: A child with cerebral palsy can have an unusually small head (microcephaly) or an unusually large head (macrocephaly), which is one of the main cerebral palsy signs.
• Irritability: Babies with the condition of cerebral palsy may seem to be fussy or irritated
• Lack of interaction: Babies and children with cerebral palsy may not interact or react with people around them.
• Hypotonia: It is a condition which develops when there is a lack of muscle tone and a floppy-like appearance.
• Delayed development: Children with cerebral palsy often have delays in reaching some expected developmental milestones because of slow development in motor skills such as rolling over, sitting up alone, or crawling affected by the brain cells
• Difficulty walking
• Spasticity or stiff muscles
• Ataxia condition showing lack of muscle coordination
• Involuntary movements
• Delays in speech development
• Difficulty swallowing
• Neurological problems like seizures, intellectual disabilities, and blindness

Nasal congestion is the feeling of a blockage or obstruction in your nasal passages. Infections such as the common cold, flu or sinusitis, as well as allergies, can make your nose feel both stuffy and runny. On top of that, irritants like tobacco smoke, perfumes, dust, and car fumes in the air can also lead to these symptoms. Some people go through persistent nasal congestion and excessive nasal discharge. This condition is called non-allergic rhinitis or vasomotor rhinitis. Dealing with a stuffy nose can be a bothersome experience, but luckily, there are several simple ideas on how to open a blocked nose with home remedies that can instantly provide relief from this uncomfortable condition.

Home remedies to open a blocked nose

The following are some of the popular ideas on how to open a blocked nose at home.

• Steam inhalation can be a reliable method to provide relief. For this method, you need to lean over a bowl of hot water with a towel over your head to inhale the steam. However, nowadays, you have the convenience of modern steamers that offer the same benefits. To enhance the experience, consider adding antiseptic herbs like peppermint seeds to the water. Repeat this process 2-3 times a day for optimal relief.
• Applying gentle heat to the outside of your nose helps reduce inflammation and opens up the nasal passages. By targeting the swelling in your nostrils and sinuses, the warm compress offers much-needed relief.
• Ginger, with its impressive anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants, is a great solution against nasal congestion. You can use ginger to create a compress by boiling ginger pieces in 2 cups of water. Soak a fresh washcloth in the ginger-infused water and place it on your face for about 15 minutes. Alternatively, sipping on ginger tea three times a day can also provide quick relief from a stuffy nose.
• Honey is one of the most popular remedies to open a blocked nose at home. It's soothing for your nasal passages and can help reduce the build-up of mucus. Mixing two tablespoons of honey with lukewarm water creates a solution that effectively clears nasal passages. Additionally, adding honey to milk or tea can further ease your symptoms.

Dealing with the throbbing discomfort of sciatica can feel like a constant battle. But there is a silver lining — targeted exercises can play a significant role in alleviating sciatica pain. Sciatica is pain along the sciatic nerve, a pathway from the lower back to the feet. It arises from nerve compression, causing sharp pain down the leg. In this article, we will see five effective exercises for sciatica that can bring you relief during those painful moments.

Best exercises for sciatica

So let’s look at the best exercises for sciatica pain:

• Knee to chest stretch
• Child's pose
• Piriformis stretch
• Cat-cow stretch
• Standing hamstring stretch 

1. Knee to chest stretch

The knee-to-chest stretch can provide soothing relief for sciatica. Begin by lying on your back, then gently bring one knee near your chest while keeping the other leg straight. Hold this position for 20 to 30 seconds, feeling a stretch in your lower back and buttocks. Alternate legs and repeat a few times. 

This stretch helps elongate the muscles of the lower back and buttocks, releasing tension and pressure on the sciatic nerve. Regularly practising this exercise can promote flexibility in the lower back, reducing the strain on the sciatic nerve and potentially minimising sciatica discomfort.

2. Child’s pose

The child’s pose is known for its ability to relax and gently stretch the muscles of the lower back, hips and spine. Start on your hands and knees, then sit back on your heel while stretching your arms forward. Feel the stretch along your spine and buttocks. Hold for 20-30 seconds and repeat a few times. 

While doing a child’s pose, you create space in the lower back region. This elongation can help alleviate compression on the sciatic nerve and reduce radiating pain. This yoga-inspired pose can help release lower back tension and promote relaxation. 

3. Piriformis stretch 

This stretch is a critical player in alleviating sciatica pain by directly targeting the piriformis muscles (present in the deep gluteal muscles). While lying on your back, cross one ankle over the opposite knee, then gently pull the lower knee towards your chest. You will feel a stretch in the buttocks and outer hips. Hold for 20-30 seconds and switch sides.

The piriformis muscles run near the sciatic nerve and you may experience  irritation and discomfort when they tighten. Stretching these muscles can help release the pressure on the sciatic nerve, providing relief from radiating pain.  

4. Cat-cow stretch

The cat-cow stretch focuses on the flexibility and mobility of the spine and is one of the most effective stretches for sciatica. This movement can indirectly promote healthy spine alignment and reduce tension in the lower back. Begin on your hands and knees, then arch your back upwards like a cat, and lower it while lifting your head like a cow. 

The arching and rounding of the back during the stretch can gently massage the muscles along the spine, potentially reducing pressure on the static nerve. Over time, improved spinal mobility can contribute to the reduction in sciatica discomfort.

5. Standing hamstring stretch

Tight hamstrings can lead to sciatica pain by pulling on the pelvis and affecting lower back alignment. The standing hamstring stretch targets these muscles, promotes flexibility and reduces tension. 

For a hamstring stretch, stand straight and place one foot on a slightly elevated surface like a step. Keep your leg straight and lean forward from your hips until you feel a stretch in the back of your leg. Hold for 20 -30 seconds and switch legs. This is the best exercise for sciatica that targets the hamstring and alleviates pressure on the sciatic nerve.

ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Cashless Network Hospital List in Lakhimpur, Assam

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• Family Health Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance 
• Top Up Health Insurance
• Arogya Sanjeevani Policy
• Corona Kavach Policy
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance
• Parents Health Insurance
• Children Health Insurance

which offers people much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Cashless Network Hospital List in Nagaon, Assam

Explore ICICI Lombard’s health insurance plans :

• Family Health Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance 
• Top Up Health Insurance
• Arogya Sanjeevani Policy
• Corona Kavach Policy
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance
• Parents Health Insurance
• Children Health Insurance

which offers people much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Cashless Network Hospital List in Kokrajhar, Assam

Explore ICICI Lombard’s health insurance plans :

• Family Health Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance 
• Top Up Health Insurance
• Arogya Sanjeevani Policy
• Corona Kavach Policy
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance
• Parents Health Insurance
• Children Health Insurance

which offers people much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Cashless Network Hospital List in Jorhat, Assam

Explore ICICI Lombard’s health insurance policies :

• Family Health Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance 
• Top Up Health Insurance
• Arogya Sanjeevani Policy
• Corona Kavach Policy
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance
• Parents Health Insurance
• Children Health Insurance

which offers people much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Cashless Network Hospital List in Hojai, Assam

Explore ICICI Lombard’s health insurance plans :

• Family Health Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance 
• Top Up Health Insurance
• Arogya Sanjeevani Policy
• Corona Kavach Policy
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance
• Parents Health Insurance
• Children Health Insurance

which offers people much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

Medical aid has become a costly affair but it is extremely essential for the ailing individual to ensure complete recovery. However, arranging for bills single-handedly is likely to cause panic and loss of savings when footing large treatment bills. It is in situations like these that a mediclaim insurance policy will come to your rescue and offer respite during such trying times.

When opting to buy insurance policy for yourself, you must carefully consider the policy offerings so as to enjoy maximum benefits when faced with a medical emergency. You must ensure that the policy that you plan to opt for offers coverage for different types of treatments. The policy must also clearly state the types of ailments and diseases covered under the mediclaim policy. It should also mention if the policy offers coverage for ailments or hospitalisation cost due to accidents or mishaps.

For insuring a single person, many health insurance companies offer individual health insurance policies that help financially during an unexpected medical exigency. The Personal Protect policy offered by ICICI Lombard provides relief by offering medical security to the insured individual when faced with a medical emergency. According to this mediclaim policy, coverage is offered in case of death due to mishaps occurring due to natural calamity, rail or road accident and terrorist acts.

This policy has a large sum insured that paid to the family of the insured individual if his demise occurs within the policy period. The financial assistance offered by this policy helps to keep financial crisis at bay especially if the family has lost the sole breadwinner in the accident. Coverage for severe injuries is also offered by this mediclaim insurance policy that could occur during an accident or mishap. Permanent loss of functioning of the hands, eyes or feet makes the insured person eligible to receive financial aid with the sum insured amount. In case the insured person is unable to remain gainfully employed due to the severity of his injuries, then the complete sum insured is awarded to reduce financial crisis for the family.

To purchase this policy, no medical checkup is required which enables you to purchase this policy almost instantly. This policy can also be purchased for the elderly members of your family who are below 80 years of age.

Thus, medical assistance and financial aid offered to the insured individual will enable you to offer optimal medical aid when faced with an exigency.

Some major progress made by the 3-year-old government in the sphere of healthcare

The UPA-led Congress Government witnessed their worst defeat in the general elections of 2014 and India got a fresh new start. The NDA government targeted major reformation and development in a number of sectors, including healthcare.

The main focus of the government was on preventive healthcare and long-form immunization drive to minimize or completely eradicate certain preventable diseases like Kala Azar, Tuberculosis, Japanese encephalitis, and measles.

Here are some initiatives by the Modi government that made a difference in the health sector.

Benefits with E-Health

The Digital India campaign of 2015 brought better efficiency in the healthcare sector. With an increase in the knowledge database and simplified concepts, a greater transparency was achieved, removing many malpractices from the industry. Through E-Heath initiative, healthcare became more accessible to people in remote areas who had very limited access to the healthcare facilities.

An eHospital app was launched with an online registration system to minimalise the formalities at hospitals, before a check-up or treatment.

Door to Door Check-up Initiative of 2017

The most recent initiatives include door-to-door screening for chronic diseases like cancer, heart disorders and diabetes. This programme took place on World Cancer Day (4th February) and offered early detection and treatment of the diseases for people between the critical age group of 30 to 69 years.

Making India Open Defecation Free by 2019

Unhygienic conditions lead to diseases. In 2014, the Modi government launched a nationwide campaign to make India open defecation free by 2019. Many known faces from the Hindi film industry, like Vidya Balan and Amitabh Bachchan, took part to preach the campaign effectively to every house in India. More than 80 lakh public toilets were built across the country. Recently, states like Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala were declared ODF states.

Swachh Bharat Cess

In the reiteration of Mahatma Gandhi’s dream for a Swachh India, Clean India Initiative or Swachh Bharat Mission was launched in 2015. The government imposed Swachh Bharat Cess on 15th November 2015 on taxable services at the rate of 0.5%. The government raised an amount of ₹3901.76 crore between 2015- 16 that was utilized for different Swachh Bharat initiatives of the government.

National Health Policy 2017

According to the latest healthcare policy, the public health expenditure was increased from 2% to 2.5%. The policy also targets reducing mortality rates of mothers, infants and children due to avoidable diseases. Leprosy is to be eradicated by 2018, while diseases like Kala azar and Lymphatic Filariasis are targeted for elimination by 2017.

The policy also aims to reduce consumption of alcohol and cigarettes by 30%, reduce cardiovascular diseases and respiratory diseases by 2025 and reach the global target for HIV by 2020.

FASTag has revolutionised the way we pay for tolls on Indian highways, making travel quicker and more convenient. It is an electronic toll collection system implemented in India to facilitate cashless payments at toll plazas on highways. It has become mandatory for all vehicles in India, and non-compliance may result in penalties. But how to find FASTag customer ID using vehicle number? It’s easier than you might think. Here, we will guide you through the steps to do just that.

Procedure to Find FASTag Customer ID Using Vehicle Number

Visit Official Website: The most straightforward way to find your FASTag customer ID is by visiting the official website of the National Highways Authority of India (i.e., NHAI). Here is how:

• Open your Web browser and go to the official NHAI FASTag website.
• Look for an option that allows you to “Find FASTag customer ID” or something similar. It’s often located in the “Customer Support” or “Help” section.
• Click on this option to proceed.
• You will have to enter your vehicle number. Make sure to provide accurate information.
• Once you have entered the vehicle number, submit the request.
• The website will search its database and retrieve your FASTsag customer ID associated with the provided vehicle number.
• You can now see your FASTag customer ID on the screen.

Contact customer support: If you encounter difficulties while trying to find your FASTag customer ID online, don’t fret. You can always reach out to FASTag customer support for assistance. They are usually available via phone or email and will guide you through the process.

Check your FASTag account: If you have a FASTag account or wallet associated with your vehicle, you can find your customer ID within your account settings or dashboard.

Use MYFASTag App: NHAI has provided a simple solution to checking your FASTag balance and other details through their mobile app. Download the app, log in, put in your details and you can check your balance and FASTag ID.

Visit the Issuer's Office or Nearest Toll Plaza: If you are facing issues with the online methods, visit your nearest toll booth or issuer’s office. Give your vehicle registration number, identity card, and proof of vehicle ownership to get assistance.

Is it Important to Link the Vehicle Number to the FASTag Customer ID?

Yes, linking your vehicle number to FASTag ID is recommended due to government rules and for a smooth toll experience:

1. Easy Toll Transactions

FASTag ID is your vehicle’s unique identity, which allows the toll booths to easily check and automatically deduct the fees from your account.

2. Managing FASTag Account

You can watch your transactions, balance, and other details with one click after linking your FASTag ID to your vehicle number.

3. Prevents Fraud

Linking the vehicle number to FASTag ID protects you from fraudulent uses of your ID, especially after loss or theft.

4. Government Mandates

Government regulations require every vehicle to have an active FASTag linked to its registration details.

Conclusion

Finding your faster customer ID using your vehicle number in India is a relatively simple process, thanks to the user-friendly features provided by the NHAI. Additionally, ensuring your vehicle insurance details are up-to-date can further simplify this process. You can update your car insurance online in a few easy steps. So the next time you need your FASTag customer ID, remember a few clicks on the NHAI website can save you time and get you back on the road faster.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It may contain outdated data and information regarding the Insurance industry and products. It is advised to verify the currency and relevance of the data and information before taking any major steps. ICICI Lombard is not liable for any inaccuracies or consequences resulting from the use of this outdated information.

ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Cashless Network Hospital List in Guwahati, Assam

Explore ICICI Lombard’s health insurance plans :

• Family Health Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance 
• Activate Booster (Top Up Health Insurance)
• Arogya Sanjeevani Policy
• Corona Kavach Policy
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance
• Parents Health Insurance
• Children Health Insurance

which offers people much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Cashless Network Hospital List in Goalpara, Assam

Explore ICICI Lombard’s health insurance plans :

• Family Health Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance 
• Top Up Health Insurance
• Arogya Sanjeevani Policy
• Corona Kavach Policy
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance
• Parents Health Insurance
• Children Health Insurance

which offers people much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Cashless Network Hospital List in Dibrugarh, Assam

Explore ICICI Lombard’s health insurance plans :

• Family Health Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance 
• Top Up Health Insurance
• Arogya Sanjeevani Policy
• Corona Kavach Policy
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance
• Parents Health Insurance
• Children Health Insurance

which offers people much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Cashless Network Hospital List in Bongaigaon, Assam

Explore ICICI Lombard’s health insurance plans :

• Family Health Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance 
• Top Up Health Insurance
• Arogya Sanjeevani Policy
• Corona Kavach Policy
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance
• Parents Health Insurance
• Children Health Insurance

which offers people much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Cashless Network Hospital List in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh

Explore ICICI Lombard’s health insurance policies :

• Family Health Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance 
• Top Up Health Insurance
• Arogya Sanjeevani Policy
• Corona Kavach Policy
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance
• Parents Health Insurance
• Children Health Insurance

which offers people much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Cashless Network Hospital List in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

Explore ICICI Lombard’s health insurance plans:

• Family Health Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance 
• Activate Booster (Top Up Health Insurance)
• Arogya Sanjeevani Policy
• Corona Kavach Policy
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance
• Parents Health Insurance
• Children Health Insurance

which offers people much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

Treatment costs for various diseases is usually higher in Northern cities of India as compared to Southern cities like Bengaluru and Chennai

Treatment costs are not uniform across India. For the same disease, it could vary vastly between different cities located in different parts of the country. For example, healthcare costs are usually higher in northern cities like Delhi and Kolkata when compared with South Indian cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

This is the precise reason why millions of people in India choose to migrate from one city to another to save their medical expenses. In this article, we’ve tried to provide brief information about the treatment charges of few common diseases like cancer, kidney failure, cataract, etc. in commonly preferred Indian cities, namely New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

1. Cancer-There are numerous well-equipped cancer hospitals in various metropolitan cities of India. The two most common type of cancer treatments are as follows:
   • Lung Cancer Treatment which costs approximately ₹27000 to ₹42000 per cycle. In case it requires lung surgery, it can cost you roughly ₹3 to ₹3.7 lakhs. Chennai and Hyderabad will be the preferred cities for affordable treatment, while New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru will on the higher side of the range.
   • Ovarian Cancer Treatment includes two phases. The first two stages of ovarian cancer are customarily treated with surgeries that can cost you approximately ₹3 to ₹4.5 lakhs. Whereas, treatment for the last two stages of ovarian cancer would cost ₹27K to ₹48K, depending upon the city and hospital.
2. Cardiovascular Diseases- - Nearly 25% deaths before the age of 70 in India occur due to cardiovascular diseases. On the flip side, India is considered as one of the best places in the world for cardiac surgery. The most common treatments for cardiovascular diseases include bypass surgeries, angioplasty, valve replacement, and open-heart surgeries. The rate of bypass surgery in different cities is tabulated below:

The rate of angioplasty in different metropolitan cities are tabulated below:

3. Kidney-related ailments- 

Around 17 out of 100 people in India suffer from kidney-related ailments. Dialysis is the most common treatment method for curing such diseases. According to Nephrologists, India has only 300 to 400 dialysis centres. Dialysis is mainly of two types, haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

The average cost of haemodialysis ranges from ₹12000 to ₹15000 per session while the average cost of peritoneal dialysis ranges from ₹18000 to ₹20000 per session which requires 4 to 6 sittings. The minimum and maximum charges for the dialysis treatment in six different cities are depicted in the table below:

4. Cataract-

A cataract surgery is one of the most common and least complicated operations performed in India. Phacoemulsification or ‘Phaco’ and Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS) are the two most common types of cataract surgeries. Here is a tabular description for cataract surgery charges in different Indian cities:

5. Gall-bladder-

Gallstone surgery has become very common in India over the years due to the rising cases of gall-bladder stones. Also known as ‘Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy’ in medical terms, this type of surgery is quite cost-effective in the country. The table below depicts the gallstone surgery charges in various Indian cities. Out of all the options, New Delhi offers the most economical alternative.

With its fantastic health advantages, Tulsi, commonly called holy basil, is a herb highly valued in traditional medicine systems. Tulsi leaves have a long and illustrious history, and they are becoming increasingly well-known for their potential medicinal benefits. Tulsi, rich in antioxidants and essential oils, is thought to have stress-relieving, immune-stimulating, and anti-inflammatory qualities. Used to make herbal tea or added to food, Tulsi is said to enhance heart health, aid digestion, and improve lung health. One can see the benefits of eating Tulsi leaves by combining traditional knowledge with modern wellness practises.

Health benefits of consuming Tulsi leaves

As Tulsi leaves are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, consuming them regularly can be highly beneficial. Trusted for generations, this tiny green wonder is more than just a typical plant — it is a wellness powerhouse. Here are some fantastic health benefits of Tulsi leaves to explore.

• Extraordinary stress buster

Stress is an unwanted intruder in our fast-paced, modern lives. But do not worry! Tulsi steps in to save the day. It is a great source of adaptogens, which can help your body adjust to stress, control cortisol levels, and provide much-needed serenity. Tulsi is your calm buddy, which does not let stress at work or in daily life get to you.

• Immunity booster

Do you know that one can easily prevent bothersome illnesses like cough and cold with Tulsi? The essential oils and antioxidants found in Tulsi leaves help boost your immune system. They keep you robust and healthy all year round by supporting your body’s defences against infections, coughs and colds.

• Skin’s best friend

Are you dreaming of glowing skin? Tulsi may serve as a useful aid. It works well for healing acne and other skin irritations because of its antibacterial and antifungal qualities. Additionally, it aids in blood purification, giving you the glowing complexion you’ve always desired.

• Sugar level stabiliser

For those watching their blood glucose levels, Tulsi may become your new best friend. Research shows that it may aid in controlling blood sugar levels, which makes it a delightful complement to your diabetic treatment regimen.

• Heart happy herb

Tulsi is believed to lower cholesterol and help maintain normal blood pressure. It also aids in maintaining cardiovascular health. Adding this green gem to your tea or drinking its juice will help you maintain overall health.

If you’re reading the news, chances are it reads like the storyline of an apocalyptic movie scripted by a sadistic writer. We’re living in the times of hair raising headlines. Cases in point:

COVID-19 cases cross 700,000 globally…
Number of cases in US surpass that of Italy…
130 new COVID-19 cases across India…

Midst all the gloomy headlines that are dominating the front pages we’d like to draw your attention to another statistic that you may have completely missed or just skimmed over:

More than 1,51,000 people recover from coronavirus globally.

That’s right! 21.6% of those infected with the virus so far have recovered. We’re not buoying your hopes here as a matter of responsible editorial policy. The above data supports what ICICI Lombard in-house medical experts too have to say.

Based on our conversation with them, following are information nuggets we’d like to highlight:

According to Dr.Rambabu Sankurttula and Dr.Vinod Rayala, most of the cases are curable. It’s not necessary that acute respiratory problems will arise in all the cases. Some COVID-19 positive cases only experience mild symptoms of the infection. Ergo, social distancing.

The ones most susceptible to the virus are children below the age of 10 and adults above the age of 60.

What compounds the severity of the symptoms in an infected person are pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes, hyper-tension, kidney ailments, etc.

But do all of us know if we have a pre-existing medical condition? How many times have we chalked up headaches, fatigue, weight gain, etc. to our lifestyles or the 9 to 5 grind? How many of us go for a thorough health check-up once a year? If the answers scare you then it’s time to re-think your #healthgoals. If your interjection is that healthcare is expensive then perhaps it’s time to put health insurance or rather the need to buy health insurance into perspective. Which brings us to another headline…

India is among the cheapest health insurance markets

As per the findings of this particular report vis-à-vis India, “one can observe that compared to the numerous benefits being offered by health insurance policies, the premium liable to be paid by the insured is quite affordable and easy on the pocket, especially when compared to other countries.”

After reading this heartening piece of news one would think that almost every individual in India would have health insurance. Sadly, that’s not the case. Health insurance penetration in India is miniscule. Only 34% of the country’s population is covered by health insurance of any kind. Whether it’s due to the lack of accessibility, awareness or the perception that it’s a money guzzling scheme, general insurance penetration in India remains incredibly low.

You don’t have to look far and question widely to ascertain this. Just ask those nearest or closest to you if they have a personal health insurance, not one provided by their employer. The answers might surprise you. Or not.

Kudos! You have a job that provides insurance benefit! But that is what the company is doing for you. As an individual how have you taken charge of your health?

The tendency to rely only on the group insurance cover can prove to be costly. For starters, it may or may not cover your family. Even if it does, is the sum insured adequate?

Here’s how personal health insurance or the lack of it factors in to our COVID-19 riddled world.

Cost of testing – The government has issued guidelines to private testing facilities that the cost of testing for coronavirus should not exceed Rs 4500. But say, you’re a family of four that needs to be tested. The cost immediately quadruples. In such a scenario if you and your family have health insurance, your insurer will cover the costs.

Health check-up – If you were to read on the benefits of complete health insurance you’d discover that most health insurers provide for free health check-up once a year, per policy. This is exactly what the doctor ordered! And we’re not speaking figuratively here. This, once again, brings us around to the conversation we had with our in-house experts – about the fact that COVID-19 is more fatal for individuals with underlying health issues. But how many of us would know if we had one? That’s right, if we got a health check-up done regularly!

Online consultation & chat with a medical practitioner – yes, it happens. Yes, health insurance provides for it. Most health insurance providers offer online consultation as a value added service.

The jury is not out on it, it has decided – buying health insurance and making sure your family is covered too is the need of the hour. No doubt we’re coming out on the other side of this pandemic as bona fide chefs and spiffy homemakers; let’s also emerge as more health-conscious individuals, those who know that taking all the right steps for their health also means insuring it. On that note, and you can put this down to heightened optimism and wishful thinking, here’s a headline we can’t wait to read in the papers – “India leads in health insurance coverage.”