INDIANS have an attitude of breakdown maintenance matters, but this is gradually changing," says Dr. Madan Gaekwad, VP, and Sagar Apollo Hospital. The number of people walking in for health checks has increased 15 per cent over last year, he says. "Earlier, it was the 50 plus age group opting for preventive health checks. "Today, the age group consists of 35 and 40 year olds too". The hospital's health check and guidance cell lists the normal parameters. "On this basis, predictions can be made to pin point likely health problems," he says.

According to V Aruna Ghose, Administrator, Manipal Health Check, the 40 per cent increase in check-up figures has seen the greatest growth in their high-end comprehensive health check package which includes detailed testing for ling function, thyroid, prostate, hearing and cardiac stress tests. "We do at More individuals around age 40 are coming in, "She affirms. This includes a number of overseas patients, especially from Bangaladesh and the Gluf. "Recently, a group of 25 women from the US in the 35 plus age group came in for check ups," she says.

There's also an increase in women going in for health checks. Whereas Manipal reports a 30 per cent increase, Elbit Diagnostics says numbers are up by 20 per cent. "Women are responding to awareness created by their gynecologists," says Dr Shiv Prasad, General Mangaer Elbit. Most women besides having general Check ups, also opt for pap smear and mammograms more around cancer, he says. Dr Gaekwad agrees that pap smears in women over 35 are rising lately.
Hospitals and diagnostic centers are also sprucing up their health check departments in an effort to 'de-hospitalise' the concept. "People coming for preventive health checks don't want to be classified as patients or be seen as suffering from any disease," sys Dr Prasad, "they want to be treated in an exclusive department, not mixed with sick patients." This has led institutions like Mainpal and Sagar Apollo to set up separate departments.

Statistics show that diabetes is the most detected disease caught by health checks today, followed by cardiac disease. Dr Prasad cites the example of an obese 28 year old who came in for a checkup without a specific reason. "He had no symptoms. But awareness of potential aliments led him to have the check-up. He was found to be highly diabetic. With subsequent lifestyle changes, he can live normally now."

Today, people are increasingly fighting their instinct prevalent even among the educated upper classes, says Dr Gaekwad. With a growing awareness of health issues leading individuals to seek early detection of problems, and the availability of specialized tests, the trend is moving towards healthier generations.