Health Insurance in Rajkot

Health Statistics of Rajkot

Listed below are some of the recent health statistics of Rajkot:

• Over 7.5 lakh women are anaemic in Rajkot.
• More than 3.5 lakh Rajkot women are overweight.
• Rajkot recorded around 2.3 lakh anaemia cases among children in 2020.
• Nearly 2.2 lakh women are suffering from hypertension in Rajkot.
• 17% of women in Rajkot are diabetic.
• Heart attack caused 3 deaths in Rajkot within 12 hours in October 2023.

Why Do You Need Health Insurance in Rajkot?

Check out the reasons why you must buy mediclaim insurance in Rajkot:

1. Rising Lifestyle Diseases

   Rajkot is witnessing a rise in lifestyle-related diseases, such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. According to the National Family Health Survey-5, 28% of women aged 15-49 years in Rajkot are obese. Excess weight can increase health risks and involve higher treatment costs, affecting your hard-earned savings. However, a health plan can provide financial relief as your insurer will cover the costs of treating these conditions.

2. Increasing Healthcare Costs

   The cost of medicare is rising significantly in Rajkot. The cost of Coronary Angioplasty in Rajkot city ranges between ₹1.35 lakh to ₹4.10 lakh, making it unaffordable for many people. To stay financially protected against such high medical expenses in the city, buying the best health insurance plan with a coverage of ₹5-10 lakh is recommended.

3. Access to Quality Healthcare

   High-quality healthcare can be expensive, and thus, not everyone in Rajkot can afford the best available treatments. This often forces people to opt for alternative and more affordable treatments to save money. However, health insurance plans in India can help you alleviate the monetary burden of obtaining quality treatment in Rajkot as and when required.

Major Health Problems in Rajkot

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

1. Diabetes

   Diabetes is on the rise in Rajkot, affecting a large portion of the city’s female residents. The National Family Health Survey-5 reported that 2,11,535 women in Rajkot were diabetic in 2020. The factors contributing to this increase include family history, obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy eating patterns, and genetics.

2. Hypertension

   Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is becoming an alarming health concern in Rajkot. The fifth round of the National Family Health Survey revealed that 18% of women aged 15-49 years were affected by hypertension in 2020. Medical experts suggest that high levels of stress, consumption of unhealthy fats, and inadequate sleep are some of the main contributors to the growing rates of hypertension in the city.

3. Anaemia

   Anaemia has become a widespread issue in Rajkot, especially among young children and women. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 77% of children under the age of five and 61% of women aged 15-49 years are anaemic in Rajkot. This high prevalence is primarily due to a deficiency of essential nutrients like iron, vitamin B12, and folate.

4. Obesity

   The prevalence of obesity in Rajkot is concerning. The NFHS-5 report highlighted that about 3,57,285 women in Rajkot in the age group of 15-49 years were obese in 2020. Factors like lack of physical activities, poor dietary habits, insufficient quality sleep, and sedentary lifestyles are driving the increase in obesity cases in the city.

5. Heart Attack

   Heart attack cases are rising alarmingly in Rajkot. As per the official data, 11 people died from cardiac arrests in Rajkot between September 20 and October 4, 2023. Experts believe that insufficient sleep, poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, and inactive lifestyles are likely reasons for this rise in heart attack cases.

How Much Health Insurance Coverage Do You Need in Rajkot?

In Rajkot, you must buy a health insurance plan that adequately covers all your medicare expenses in the city, including the cost of treating critical illnesses like cancer, kidney failure, etc. Besides, health insurance experts suggest people to invest in a mediclaim insurance plan with a minimum sum insured of at least 50% of their yearly income in the city.

With medical inflation rising in Rajkot, you should purchase a health plan with a coverage amount of ₹5-10 lakh. If you want to purchase medical coverage for the entire family, a family floater health insurance plan of ₹20 lakh and above is suitable.

Additionally, if you want to buy a health plan for senior citizens in Rajkot, a senior citizen health insurance policy with a sum insured of ₹15 lakh or more is recommended.

Health Insurance in Rajkot for NRIs

Non-resident Indians (NRIs) from Rajkot can purchase a medical policy from any health insurance companies in India. These policies can cover medical expenses incurred during their long-term stay or short-term visit to Rajkot. Additionally, if they choose to move back to Rajkot permanently, the same health insurance for NRIs policy can continue to provide coverage.

In fact, NRIs can also buy health insurance for parents residing in Rajkot. This will allow them to support their parents financially in case of any planned or unexpected medical emergency.

Moreover, NRIs are eligible for an 18% GST refund on the mediclaim insurance premium paid to an Indian insurer as long as they pay taxes overseas in their country of residence.

People also read: GST Refund on Health Insurance for NRIs

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

No.

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana - Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana (PMJAY-MA) is a health insurance initiative first launched by the Government of Gujarat on September 4, 2012. The scheme is designed to cover healthcare expenses for low-income and lower-middle-class families in the state, including those living in Rajkot, from diagnostic tests to post-hospitalisation care. However, despite its wide range of benefits, the Yojana is not enough to provide complete health protection in the city.

The table below highlights some reasons why the PMJAY-Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana may not offer sufficient medical coverage to Rajkot residents:

Wellness and Prevention Tips in Rajkot

Listed below are the wellness and prevention tips to maintain good health in Rajkot:

• Eat iron-rich foods like spinach, lentils, etc.
• Drink plenty of water in Rajkot to maintain good blood volume.
• Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night to help your body recover.
• Exercise for at least 30 minutes daily to manage obesity issues in Rajkot.
• Quit smoking to improve overall heart health in Rajkot.
• Limit saturated and trans fats consumption, and check cholesterol levels regularly in Rajkot.
• Practice meditation, deep breathing, or yoga in Rajkot to relax your body.
• Avoid tobacco products in Rajkot to reduce the risk of heart disease.