Preventive Healthcare Is Key to Viksit Bharat 2047, Says Delhi-Based Entrepreneur Gagan Dhawan

Preventive healthcare must be treated as a national economic priority alongside manufacturing technology and infrastructure according to Delhibased entrepreneur Gagan DhawanSpeaking on the need to build a healthier India Dhawan said that economic growth cannot be sustained without a healthy and productive population While sectors such as artificial intelligence semiconductors electronics manufacturing and digital innovation continue to drive Indias economic transformation he believes the countrys longterm success will equally depend on the health of its peopleA nations greatest strength is not just its infrastructure or technology It is the health of its citizens A healthier workforce is naturally more productive innovative and resilient making preventive healthcare an investment rather than an expense Dhawan saidIndia has emerged as the worlds fourthlargest economy and is working towards its vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 However experts believe that lifestyle diseases could become one of the biggest challenges to sustaining this growth if preventive measures are not prioritisedAccording to the International Diabetes Federation more than 101 million Indians are living with diabetes the secondhighest number globally The Indian Council of Medical Research has estimated that nearly 136 million Indians are prediabetic placing millions at risk of developing the disease in the coming years Cardiovascular diseases continue to account for nearly onethird of all deaths in the country Dhawan noted that a large share of this burden is dietrelated and that dietary shift is among the most direct levers available for preventionDhawan noted that these figures represent not only a public health concern but also a significant economic challenge Rising healthcare costs lower workplace productivity increased absenteeism and the financial burden on families have direct implications for Indias longterm economic growthHe pointed out that global studies have consistently shown that investments in preventive healthcare generate substantial economic returns through improved productivity reduced healthcare expenditure and a healthier workforceAccording to Dhawan Indias healthcare approach must gradually shift from treating illnesses after they occur to preventing them before they develop He advocated for regular health screenings greater awareness about nutrition improved mental health support workplace wellness programmes and increased physical activity as part of everyday lifeHe also highlighted the growing role of technology in transforming preventive healthcare Digital health records wearable health devices telemedicine and artificial intelligence are making early diagnosis and continuous health monitoring more accessible than ever beforeTechnology is enabling healthcare to become proactive rather than reactive Combined with greater public awareness it has the potential to significantly reduce the burden of lifestyle diseases he saidDhawan also emphasised that India possesses a unique advantage through its centuriesold wellness traditions Practices such as yoga meditation and mindful living once regarded primarily as cultural practices are now receiving increasing global recognition and scientific validationHe believes integrating these traditional wellness approaches including Indias growing vegan and plantbased food culture with modern medical science and digital healthcare can help India build one of the worlds strongest preventive healthcare ecosystemsBusinesses too have an important responsibility in this transformation he said Employee wellness initiatives should no longer be viewed as optional corporate benefits but as strategic investments that improve productivity reduce absenteeism and strengthen workforce retentionReferring to Indias rapidly expanding startup ecosystem Dhawan observed that long working hours and increasing stress have made burnout a growing concern among entrepreneurs and professionals He said sustainable business success requires equal attention to personal wellbeing and professional excellenceEducation he added must also become an important pillar of preventive healthcare Encouraging healthy eating habits physical fitness and emotional wellbeing from an early age can help future generations lead healthier lives while reducing the countrys disease burden over time He pointed to nutrition education as central to this particularly awareness around wholefood plantbased diets which he believes can significantly reduce the risk of chronic disease and improve longterm health outcomes at a population levelDhawan further pointed to the rapidly expanding global wellness economy valued at more than USD 6 trillion according to international estimates He said India is well positioned to emerge as a global leader in preventive healthcare nutrition digital health services wellness tourism and fitness by leveraging its medical expertise entrepreneurial ecosystem technological capabilities and traditional wellness heritageCalling for a collaborative approach he said governments businesses educational institutions and individuals all have a role to play Public policy can encourage preventive screenings and health awareness organisations can invest in employee wellbeing schools can build healthier habits among children and individuals can make simple lifestyle changes starting with whats on their plate that collectively create a healthier nationThe India of 2047 will not be judged only by the size of its economy but also by the health resilience and quality of life of its people If human capital is truly Indias greatest strength protecting that capital must become a national priority Dhawan saidHe added that preventive healthcare is not simply about reducing hospital visits or extending life expectancy It is about creating a healthier workforce stronger businesses and a more prosperous economy Indias next major economic opportunity may well come from ensuring that millions of Indians remain healthier happier and more productiveAs India continues its journey towards becoming a developed nation experts increasingly believe that investing in prevention today could prove just as important as investing in innovation infrastructure and industry for securing the countrys economic futureGagandhawanofficial httpswwwfacebookcomGagandhawanofficial gagandhawanofficial httpswwwinstagramcomgagandhawanofficial Gagan_TheNewMe httpsxcomGagan_TheNewMe gagandhawanhttpswwwlinkedincomingagandhawan

Preventive Healthcare Is Key to Viksit Bharat 2047, Says Delhi-Based Entrepreneur Gagan Dhawan

Other Articles

Mid-Day Fast

Home / Buzzfeed / Article / Preventive Healthcare Is Key to Viksit Bharat 2047, Says Delhi-Based Entrepreneur Gagan Dhawan

Preventive Healthcare Is Key to Viksit Bharat 2047, Says Delhi-Based Entrepreneur Gagan Dhawan

Other Articles

Mid-Day Fast