Insurance To Shield Against Air Pollution

Mumbai, November 6: The Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority or EPCA declared a public health emergency in the Delhi-NCR region. The EPCA is a Supreme Court-mandated panel and what forced it into declaring the emergency is the alarming level of air pollution in the national capital and surrounding areas. 

Diwali celebrations, stubble burning in neighbouring states have all led to the prevailing toxic air scenario with Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal describing the city as a “gas chamber”. However, the problem is not limited to Delhi-NCR. Many north Indian cities and towns are experiencing hazardous level of air pollution.

Air pollution could have a devastating impact on our health and that of our loved ones. Most of the health insurance plans cover air pollution related diseases. Most of the health insurance providers seen rise in air pollution related claims like pulmonary disorder-related hospitalisation claims.To bear the medical bills one should opt for comprehensive health insurance plan or a plan that provides cover for OPD. 

Ravi Vishwanath, ED and CEO, Reliance Health Insurance said, “ Poor air quality is a major issue India is facing at present. The global burden of disease reports outdoor air pollution as the largest killer in the country after blood pressure, indoor air pollution, tobacco smoking, and poor nutrition. Most common diseases that Indians suffer from are asthma, lung cancer, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), pneumonia, birth and immune system defects, weakening of lung functioning and cardio-vascular diseases”.

Some of the diseases caused by air pollution are ischaemic heart disease, premature death, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, asthma and acute lower respiratory infections in children are few to mention.

People are aware of the health hazards caused by air pollution and to safeguard themselves they use air pollution mask, air purifiers and car purifiers. However, this is not enough and the best and smart way to protect our loved ones from air pollution is by buying an adequate health insurance plan to meet the medical expenses at the time of medical emergencies. This will help to achieve our financial goals and relief from medical debt. 

According to the World Health Organisation worldwide ambient air pollution accounts for:

- 29 per cent of all deaths and disease are from lung cancer

- 17 per centof all deaths and disease are from acute lower respiratory infection

- 24 per cent of all deaths are from stroke

- 25 per cent of all deaths and disease are from ischaemic heart disease

- 43 per cent of all deaths and disease are from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Before buying any health insurance plan, choose the most suitable plan for you and your family. Always double check what covers under the plan, sum insured amount and exclusions to avoid confusion at the time of claims. Health comes first and better to avoid risks at any cost. Your health insurance plan will rescue your family from uncertainties.