The prevalence of vector-borne diseases is a huge health concern in India. One of the most widespread (and feared) vector-borne diseases in the country is malaria. In 2019, the World Health Organisation (WHO) noted that India along with some countries of sub-Saharan Africa had 85% of the world’s malaria occurrences. That high percentage serves to show what a major health crisis these vector-borne diseases pose for our country. Other common vector-borne diseases in India include dengue fever and chikungunya which also affect a large number of people each year.
Many people fail to get timely treatment for vector-borne diseases due to a number of reasons. For some, the reason is carelessness. Vector-borne diseases often exhibit initial symptoms that are similar to those of the respiratory sickness we call the ‘flu’. Thus, people fail to get proper medical tests done until their condition deteriorates to a great extent. However, many also fail to get treatment due to lack of sufficient funds and this can prove fatal – remember that vector-borne diseases can sometimes lead to death, if untreated.
To help people afford timely (and life-saving) medical treatment, insurers in the country offer special health insurance products that exclusively cover vector-borne diseases. These insurance policies back you up by providing much-needed finance if you are unfortunately infected and require urgent medical care. Now, if you do not already have medical insurance, it is advisable to immediately buy a vector-borne disease health insurance policy to protect yourself immediately. Even if you already have basic health insurance, vector-borne disease health insurance can serve to further supplement your coverage. To help you get a better understanding, we have listed out some of the benefits of a vector-borne disease health insurance policy.
- Covers the major vector-borne diseases
Health insurance policies specific to vector-borne diseases generally cover malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya, lymphatic filariasis, kala-azar, Japanese encephalitis, and zika virus. This wide coverage ensures you stay protected against the risks of contracting any of these common vector-borne diseases in the country.
- Offers a payout upon hospitalisation
Your vector-borne disease health insurance policy will generally offer you a payout of the sum insured upon hospitalisation of a minimum of 24 to 48 hours. The sum insured can go as high as Rs 1 lakh. This amount can truly come in handy and help you manage any existing gaps in your health insurance. Having the kind of coverage that this policy brings will prevent any hesitation in getting timely medical treatment due to financial reasons.
- No medical examination required
Leading insurance providers in the country allow you to buy vector-borne disease health insurance without undergoing any prior medical pre-examination. Thus, getting your coverage is so easy and not subject to any check-ups. This ease of purchase makes this policy so accessible and definitely is a reason to add it in your health insurance portfolio for complete protection.
- Family members can be covered too
Vector-borne diseases can affect anyone – your senior parents at home or even your child in school can get bitten by mosquitoes. Insurers allow you to include your immediate family members such as your spouse, children, parents, and parents-in-law in the protective fold of a vector-borne disease health insurance policy. So, make sure to get proper coverage for your loved ones as well.
As we can see, a vector-borne disease health insurance policy holds many benefits for you. Best of all, you can easily explore policies online, compare the coverage, and make the purchase from the comfort of your home.
Take care.
