Health Insurance in Bhopal

Health Statistics of Bhopal

Here are the recent health statistics of Bhopal:

• Bhopal recorded over 100 dengue cases in August 2024, the highest in 6 years.
• One out of every six cancer patients in India is from Bhopal.
• 68% of children and 54% of women in Bhopal are anaemic.
• Mouth, tongue, and lung cancers make up nearly 60% of all cancer cases in Bhopal.
• 31% of women are obese/overweight in Bhopal.
• 22% of women in Bhopal are suffering from hypertension.

Why Do You Need Health Insurance in Bhopal?

Check out the reasons why buying mediclaim insurance in Bhopal is essential:

1. Surge in Cancer Cases

   Cancer is a growing health concern in Bhopal. According to the cancer registry at the city’s Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal has the second-highest number of mouth cancer cases in India. Cancer treatment can be extremely costly, but a health insurance plan for cancer patients can ensure you get the necessary treatment without worrying about hefty medical bills.

2. Prevalence of Vector-Borne Diseases

   Vector-borne diseases, such as dengue or malaria, are most common during the rainy season in Indian cities. Bhopal has also seen an increase in dengue, malaria, and chikungunya cases in 2024. According to the City Health Department, Bhopal reported 114 cases of dengue, 19 of chikungunya, and 9 of malaria by the first week of August 2024. While mild cases are manageable at home, severe cases may require costly hospitalisation, putting a strain on your hard-earned savings. However, with plans like malaria health insurance or health insurance for dengue, you can obtain the required treatment without any financial hardship.

3. Rise in Lifestyle Diseases

   Lifestyle diseases, like hypertension, obesity and diabetes, are on the rise in Bhopal. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5, hypertension cases among women aged 15-49 years increased by 13%, while obesity/overweight cases in the same age group rose by 8% in Bhopal when compared to the NFHS-4 data. Treating severe lifestyle diseases can be costly and may even require hospitalisation. However, health insurance plans can ease your financial burden by covering these medical expenses.

4. Rising Healthcare Costs

   The cost of healthcare in Bhopal is rising rapidly. For instance, a heart valve replacement surgery in Bhopal can cost ₹2.5 lakh or more, making it hard for many people to afford it. However, with the best health insurance plan in India offering ₹5-10 lakh coverage, your medical expenses will be taken care of by your insurer.

Major Health Problems in Bhopal

Take a look at some of the significant health problems prevalent in Bhopal:

1. Cancer

   Cancer is a growing concern in Bhopal. According to the ICMR-National Cancer Registry Programme data, Bhopal reports the highest tongue cancer cases among women in India. In fact, as per the National Centre for Informatics and Disease Research (NCDIR) report, 16.3 out of every one lakh people in Bhopal are affected by oral cancer. The state cancer nodal officer believes that chewing and smoking tobacco is the primary cause of the cancer issue in the district.

2. Anaemia

   Anaemia is another pressing issue, particularly among women and children in Bhopal. According to the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey, more than 4.30 lakh women in the age group of 15-49 years and approximately 1.58 lakh children below the age of 5 years are anaemic in Bhopal. This high number of cases is mainly due to the deficiency of iron and certain vitamins in their diets.

3. Obesity

   Obesity has seen a considerable rise among women in Bhopal. According to NFHS-5 data, over 2.5 lakh women in the age group of 15-49 years were diagnosed as obese/overweight in Bhopal. Experts relate this rise in obesity/overweight cases to factors, such as lack of physical activity, poor sleeping patterns, high amount of stress and anxiety, unhealthy eating habits, etc.

4. Hypertension

   Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is becoming increasingly common in Bhopal. The National Family Health Survey-5 reports that more than 1.78 lakh women aged between 15-49 years suffer from hypertension in Bhopal. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, medical conditions, and lack of physical activity are majorly responsible for the increase in hypertension cases in the city.

5. Diabetes

   Like other lifestyle diseases, diabetes cases are also rising in Bhopal. According to the National Family Health Survey-5, more than 1.14 lakh women, falling in the age group of 15-49 years, are diabetic in Bhopal. Unhealthy eating habits, lack of physical activity, and genetics might be driving the rise in diabetes cases in Bhopal.

6. Dengue

   Bhopal has witnessed a surge in dengue cases in the last few years. According to the monthly report of the District Malaria Officer (DMO), dengue cases in Bhopal hit a six-year high record in August 2024, with more than 100 cases. Experts believe that erratic weather conditions in the city have played a role in the spread of this mosquito-borne disease.

How Much Health Insurance Coverage Do You Need in Bhopal?

Experts in the insurance industry suggest having a health plan that offers coverage of at least half of your yearly income. However, always remember to choose a mediclaim policy that is sufficient to cover all potential medical expenses, including the costs of treating critical illnesses prevalent in the city.

Given the rising healthcare costs in Bhopal, you must buy an individual health policy with coverage between ₹5-10 lakh. If you seek comprehensive family coverage in Bhopal, consider investing in a family health insurance plan with a minimum sum insured of ₹20 lakh. Additionally, a senior citizen health insurance policy with a coverage of ₹15 lakh or more is suitable for senior citizens living in the city.

Health Insurance in Bhopal for NRIs

NRIs or Non-Resident Indians from Bhopal can buy a medical policy from any of the health insurance companies in India. This policy helps them pay for any unforeseen healthcare expenses incurred during their long-term stay or short-term visit to Bhopal. Moreover, they can continue using the same health insurance for NRIs policy if they plan to shift to Bhopal after a few years, and that too without serving any fresh waiting periods.

In fact, NRIs can also purchase health insurance for parents living in Bhopal, providing them with financial support in case of medical emergencies. Additionally, NRIs are eligible for an 18% GST refund on the premium paid to an Indian health insurance provider, given that they pay tax in their foreign country of residence.

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

No, it is not.

The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh launched the Deendayal Antyodaya Upchar Yojana in September 2004 to provide free health services to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and families below the poverty line. Under this scheme, beneficiaries can access free treatment and diagnostic tests for up to ₹20,000, with the limit raised to ₹30,000 for serious illnesses. However, this government health insurance scheme does not offer comprehensive coverage to residents of Bhopal.

Refer to the table below to understand why the Deendayal Antyodaya Upchar Yojana falls short of covering all healthcare expenses in Bhopal:

Wellness and Prevention Tips in Bhopal

Listed below are some of the useful wellness and prevention tips for Bhopal residents:

• Eliminate stagnant water around your home in Bhopal.
• Use mosquito coils or vaporisers indoors.
• Avoid eating processed foods and snacks in Bhopal.
• Limit your screen time in Bhopal to reduce sedentary behaviour.
• Stay hydrated by drinking enough water in Bhopal.
• Replace unhealthy snacks with nuts or fruits.
• Eat heart-healthy fats like olive oil and avocados in Bhopal.
• Engage in physical activities in Bhopal, such as aerobic exercise, walking or swimming.
• Get at least 7- 8 hours of sleep each night.
• Avoid smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke in Bhopal.
• Include vitamin C in your diet to enhance iron absorption in Bhopal.
• Add folate-rich foods like oranges and leafy greens to your meal.