Health Insurance in Ahmedabad

Health Statistics on Ahmedabad

Here are some health statistics of Ahmedabad:

• Every third person is overweight/obese in Ahmedabad
• Ahmedabad reported the highest number of heart-related issues in Gujarat in 2023
• 6% of people have high cholesterol in Ahmedabad
• Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in Ahmedabad women

Why Do You Need Health Insurance in Ahmedabad?

Check out some of the reasons why people in Ahmedabad should buy health insurance:

1. High Prevalence of Lifestyle Diseases

   Ahmedabad has been struggling with lifestyle diseases over the last few years. Given the food habits of Amdavadis, cases of diabetes and obesity are increasing rapidly, eventually leading to a surge in cancer and heart diseases. Treatment for these lifestyle diseases is readily available in the city but is expensive. If you want to be financially prepared to pay for the treatment of these lifestyle diseases in Ahmedabad, you must be covered under a critical illness insurance policy.

2. Surge in Vector-borne Diseases

   Vector-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya are prevalent in Ahmedabad. A spike in cases was seen during the monsoon and winter seasons. While most cases of vector-borne diseases do not require hospitalization, severe cases may require an ICU admission. To prevent your savings from depleting due to getting hospitalized for these diseases, make sure to buy health insurance for vector-borne diseases.

3. High Incidence of Water-borne Diseases

   The city of Ahmedabad also grapples with water-borne diseases, such as diarrhoea, typhoid, jaundice and cholera. In fact, Ahmedabad has reported more cases of water-borne diseases in 2023 than in 2022. In severe cases, patients may have to get hospitalized for the treatment of these diseases, which may cost lakhs of rupees. But if you have a mediclaim policy, your insurance company will pay for your treatment expenses.

4. Access to Quality Treatment

   Hospitalization in Ahmedabad can be a costly affair. As a result, many people compromise on their treatment by opting for an affordable cure or delaying it unless it becomes absolutely necessary. However, you can get the desired treatment when required if you buy the best health insurance plan in India.

Major Health Problems in Ahmedabad

Take a look at some of the major health problems in Ahmedabad:

1. Hypertension

   Hypertension has a high prevalence in Ahmedabad. As per an NCD research survey, 30% of people in Ahmedabad suffer from high blood pressure that can lead to heart attack and internal organ failure. Health experts blame stress, unhealthy food habits and the sedentary lifestyle of the Amdavadis for the high number of hypertension cases in the city.

2. Diabetes

   Diabetes is a major problem in Ahmedabad. According to the survey report, 8% of people in Ahmedabad have high blood sugar, while 13% are taking medication for diabetes. Doctors warn that high levels of diabetes can increase the risk of kidney failure and damage to eyes & nerves.

3. Obesity

   Obesity is highly prevalent in Ahmedabad. As per a recent survey, about 33% of people in Ahmedabad are obese. In fact, obesity is more common among women and children compared to men. Moreover, the survey report also suggests that two in every 10 Amdavadi do not meet WHO’s standards on physical activity.

4. Heart Diseases

   Heart diseases are a major cause of concern in Ahmedabad. According to the Emergency Management & Research Institute (EMRI) data, Ahmedabad reported around 21,496 cardiac emergencies in 2023, which is 28% higher than in 2022. Mental stress, sedentary lifestyles and an increase in fast food consumption are believed to be the reasons for the surge in heart-related cases in the city.

5. Cancer

   Cancer is growing rapidly in Ahmedabad. As per the Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute (GCRI), cancer has a prevalence of 116 cases in men and 85 cases in women per 1 lakh population. Moreover, childhood cancer is prevalent at 50.1 per 10 lakh girls and 93.8 per 10 lakh boys in Ahmedabad.

6. Dengue

   Dengue is widely prevalent in Ahmedabad. According to Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC), around 2480 cases of dengue were reported in Ahmedabad by mid-December 2023. Mosquito breeding in stagnant water has been the biggest reason for a spike in dengue cases in the city.

7. Water-borne Diseases

   Water-borne diseases, including diarrhoea, typhoid, jaundice and cholera, have a huge presence in Ahmedabad. As per AMC, more cases of water-borne diseases have been reported in 2023 compared to 2022. In fact, 374 cases of diarrhoea, 282 cases of typhoid and 97 cases of jaundice have been reported in the first 24 days of December 2023.

How Much Health Insurance Coverage Do You Need in Ahmedabad?

According to experts, your health insurance policy should have a sum insured of at least half of your annual income. But if you live in Ahmedabad, the coverage amount of your health insurance policy must be sufficient to cover all your medical expenses in Ahmedabad, especially the treatment of a critical illness like cancer.

Since Ahmedabad is a tier 1 city with costly healthcare facilities, you must buy health insurance coverage of Rs 10 lakh or above. A family health insurance policy of at least Rs 30 lakh is recommended if you want to cover your whole family in the same policy. In the case of senior citizens, a senior citizen health insurance policy of Rs 20 lakh or above is advisable.

Health Insurance in Ahmedabad for NRIs

NRIs or Non-resident Indians from Ahmedabad can also purchase health insurance from an Indian insurer to pay for medical expenses incurred in the city. They can utilize this health insurance for NRIs policy during their visit or stay in India and continue the same policy if they move back to Ahmedabad.

In fact, NRIs can also purchase health insurance for parents residing in Ahmedabad. The policy will come in handy to pay for their parents’ medical expenses in Ahmedabad, even if they are in another country. Moreover, they can ask health insurance companies in India to refund an 18% GST paid to buy the health policy. 

People also read: GST Refund on Health Insurance for NRIs

Is Government Health Insurance Enough to Cover Medical Expenses in Ahmedabad?

No.

The Gujarat Government offers the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana-Mukhyamantri Amrutam (PMJAY-MA) scheme to provide free medical treatment to lower-income groups in the state. However, the scheme is not enough to provide comprehensive coverage against healthcare expenses in Ahmedabad. Check out the following table to know why PMJAY-MA is not sufficient to cover your medical expenses in Ahmedabad:

Wellness and Prevention Tips in Ahmedabad

Given below are some of the wellness tips to stay healthy in Ahmedabad:

• Sleep for at least 6 to 8 hours daily in Ahmedabad to reduce the risk of heart attack.
• Work out or perform any physical activity regularly to keep your weight under control.
• Drink at least 2-3 litres of water daily in Ahmedabad.
• Include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet and eat home-cooked food.
• Avoid eating packaged food, excess sugar and aerated drinks.
• Meditate for at least 5 minutes daily in Ahmedabad to manage stress.
• Wear full-sleeved clothes and use mosquito repellents to prevent mosquito bites in Ahmedabad.
• Avoid smoking and reduce alcohol consumption in Ahmedabad.
• Remove stagnant water from your surroundings in Ahmedabad to avoid mosquito breeding.