In recent years, India has seen a worrying rise in sudden health incidents, people collapsing during morning walks, suffering strokes while playing cricket, or experiencing heart attacks with little or no warning. These cases are no longer rare, and they are highlighting one important issue: the urgent need for regular health check-ups.
Bringing this concern to the spotlight, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) member Raghav Chadha made a strong appeal during a recent Parliament session. While speaking in the presence of Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, before submitting his resignation, Chadha raised an important demand: “Make annual health check-up a legal right for every Indian citizen.”
Why should annual health check-ups be a legal right for every Indian citizen?
“In India, annual health check-ups have become a luxury which only the rich can afford,” said Chadha during his address. “A mother who never knew she had cancer, a son who found out he had high blood pressure only after suffering a stroke, a sister diagnosed with diabetes after losing her eyesight; these are real stories,” he added.
I raised a demand in Parliament:
— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) July 22, 2025
Make Annual Health Check-up a Legal Right of every citizen.
Post COVID-19, we’re seeing a sharp rise in heart failures and other health issues. Early detection can save lives.
In many countries, the government funds & mandates annual health… pic.twitter.com/FqnloWNx3x
These examples reveal a harsh reality that most Indians only visit a doctor when symptoms become severe or irreversible. Post COVID-19, India has seen a sharp spike in heart problems, strokes, diabetes, and other lifestyle-related diseases, many of which could be managed or even prevented through early detection.
According to the National Family Health Survey-5, only 2 per cent of Indian women undergo screening for cancers like breast or cervical cancer. This gap in preventive care is alarming and shows the clear need for routine health monitoring across all sections of society.
As per International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Atlas 2025, India had approximately 89.8 million adults living with diabetes in 2024, representing about 10.5 per cent of the 20–79 age group. Meanwhile, according to the Indian Society of Hypertension (2023), 21 per cent of women and 24 per cent of men in India have hypertension, while pre-hypertension affects nearly 39 per cent of women and 49 per cent of men. However, diagnosis and control rates remain very low; only 57 per cent of women and 38 per cent of men have been diagnosed, and merely about 15 per cent have their blood pressure under control.
These figures show the urgent need for annual health check-ups that can detect such conditions early, improve treatment outcomes, and lower long-term healthcare costs.
What makes regular health check-ups so important?
Annual health check-ups help detect early signs of diseases, many of which show no symptoms until it’s too late. Regular screenings can prevent long-term complications, reduce treatment costs, and most importantly, save lives. These check-ups often include basic tests like blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, kidney and liver function tests, ECG, cancer screenings, and more. Even something as simple as an annual blood test can reveal hidden health issues.
Most health problems start silently, especially conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. Regular health checks are not just helpful; they are essential.
Healthcare must be a right, not a luxury
Across several countries, preventive health check-ups are already covered and sometimes even mandated by governments. Countries like Japan, the UK, and Australia invest in preventive care to reduce the burden of chronic illness and improve national productivity.
“If other nations can offer this to their citizens, why not India?” questioned Raghav Chadha. “Jaanch hai toh jaan hai (if there is a check-up, there is life),” he said, urging the Indian government to treat healthcare as a basic right and not just a service for the elite.
As health risks rise and lifestyles change, early detection through routine screenings could be the difference between life and death for millions. Making annual check-ups accessible and affordable can be a major step towards a healthier nation.
