A government push for prevention over cure is the way forward
Bill Gates once said, “Treatment without prevention is simply unsustainable”. Prevention is indeed better than cure.
In line with this adage, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said that the state government is not only focusing on curing diseases but also on preventing them and promoting overall well-being. Emphasising the importance of addressing lifestyle changes, he said preventive healthcare, fitness and mental well-being will be key pillars of Goa’s healthcare model going forward. He was speaking after inaugurating the ‘Ayush Wellness Centre’ at the Secretariat in Porvorim.
The initiative aims to encourage a shift from treatment-based care to a wellness-oriented approach, with a focus on overall well-being and healthy lifestyles. The Wellness Centre will offer services including yoga sessions, lifestyle guidance and consultations based on AYUSH systems such as Ayurveda and Homeopathy, integrated with modern healthcare practices, mainly to Secretariat staff and other government employees. Sawant also urged citizens to take responsibility for their health, saying, “Healthcare is not only the responsibility of the government, it is a shared responsibility of every citizen.” This is the correct approach, and citizens should take note.
On the same day, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane also stressed on preventive medicine, after laying the foundation stone for the new Rs 19-crore Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Porvorim, which he said will be developed as a centre of excellence. In a major development for citizens of the Porvorim constituency, the PHC will house facilities for physiotherapy, a dialysis ward and laboratories, besides casualty, OPDs and wards. The government intends to complete the construction in 6-7 months in time for the next Assembly elections.
Preventive medicine is a crucial aspect of healthcare that focuses on preventing diseases rather than treating them. By adopting healthy habits and interventions, individuals can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. However, this does not mean adopting preventive health advice meted out by social media influencers.
In view of this, it would be appropriate if the state government held awareness campaigns on preventive health approaches. This could be carried out by the respective health centres in association with health providers, NGOs and panchayats/municipalities. In case of issues, government authorities could collaborate with local communities to develop tailored health programmes. Campaigns on preventive health could be held at gram sabhas, ward-wise meetings and socio-religious gatherings.
Last month, one such initiative was launched by the Chief Minister on Women’s Day. It offered free check-ups at all government health centres and at private hospitals at discounted rates. The campaign, which ended on March 31, saw more than 30,000 women screened for various health issues. Such campaigns should be conducted regularly throughout the state, the data from which will help save lives. A few years ago, the government started a campaign using a mobile cancer detection van, which was also used during constituency-wise camps, and this is yielding results.
Goa Medical College (GMC) and Hospital is much sought after as it has gained an excellent reputation in public healthcare, a result of the crores of rupees spent by the government on running the hospital. In addition to high standard public health facilities, if the government emphasises preventive medicine, it will bring about a change in people’s mindset, the results of which will show after 5-6 years, reflecting in a reduced number of patients at the GMC and district hospitals. Experts also suggest integrating health education in schools. Employers could be incentivised to promote workplace wellness programmes. By prioritising preventive medicine, a healthier, more productive society can be created.
