One out of five Indians suffer from diabetes and hypertension according to the latest government health survey and this is a matter of grave concern. Diabetes and hypertension are elite lifestyle diseases and citizens themselves are responsible for abusing their bodies by practicing a way of living which gives temporary pleasures by consumption of alcohol or tobacco but doing un-repairable damage to one’s health. The longevity of human life has gone up due to advanced medication but the quality of life has declined on account of environmental issues and elite habits. Health is wealth and exercise along with proper healthy diet is absolutely necessary to remain fit. Education is the need of the hour and counselling centres should be opened in public places to advice citizens on the ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ on keeping themselves fit as prevention is always better than cure when it comes to diseases and illness. Government should not be penny wise and pound foolish and a substantial amount should be spent on health programmes as a healthy and happy nation is the recipe of a developed and progressive economy.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
