“Prevention is better than cure”. Out of a country’s health budget, a large proportion should be diverted from treatment to spending on health education and preventative measures. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
A profound debate has arisen whether policy makers should spend more on preventive, or combative measures. Looking at the spike in the number of patients visiting the hospitals; majority are in favor of the former, while others oppose. In the following paragraph I will be discussing both sides.
Those in favor of methods to circumvent disease quote a survey conducted by the Department of Health, Delhi University that clearly shows that the increase in the number of illnesses in the society is ignorance about ways to evade illness. Prioritizing preventive measures would support a drastic decline in sufferings. To illustrate, there are various controllable illnesses: malaria and diabetes, that health education can help circumvent and also act as a roadmap to adapt good habits in future.
Having said that, the critics are of the view that diverting the funds in preventive measures rather than treatment will have catastrophic outcomes; since a sizable number are inflicted by hereditary ailments, such as diabetes, thyroid and blood Pressure. In such cases, health education cannot help, and medical intervention is extremely essential to provide relief.
Moreover, it has been observed that the majority of youngsters are becoming victims of depression and anxiety even after visiting the fitness centers regularly and taking good care of their eating habits. The reason identified for these increased instances are the undue pressure they are facing in their professional and personal life; as a result, they are more exposed to mental ailments. Such circumstances require combative medical interventions and methods to avoid ailments can do little to help.
To recap, I partially subscribe to this suggestion and investing in both the areas is of great priority since preventive and combative measures go hand in hand. Prioritizing anyone might create imbalance in the society.
