Healthy they, healthy we

West Bengal population is about 9.2 Crore of which about 9% i.e. 81 lac people are above 60 years of age. This percentage is expected to further rise in coming years keeping with the trend in last few decades.

Old age comes with a lot of ailment and diseases. Spending on health care increases with the increase of average age of population. Medical Insurance is an important instrument to cover treatment related expenses at this age. However, for an insurance firm, greater the payout in settling claims, greater is the premium they would charge for their schemes. Hence higher claims of coverage makes insurance more costly and less accessible.

On the other hand when the quantum of medical claims is less and well spread out - insurance prices are lower, larger population is covered, and society enjoys a larger security net. This means more affordable healthcare schemes for younger generation as well.One way to achieve this is to put focus on timely care and early diagnosis. It is estimated that healthcare costs can be reduced by about 30% by focusing on preventive health care.

Case well established right? Now comes the difficult part. Every big idea, every noble intention, needs innovative yet pragmatic execution. Specially if it is about changing consumer behavior and lifestyle. Can you get people to adopt a healthier lifestyle, can you help elderly take care of themselves better?

Challenge is not in why, but in how.

This is where we invite you - the thinkers, the doers the achievers. Come present your solution and create a social change for good #Bengalathon2018 #Transformation

To participate visit bengalathon.wb.gov.in

Reference – Report from Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Govt. of India