In more than four decades of practicing medicine, I’ve seen the healthcare landscape evolve in remarkable ways. From technological advancements in diagnostics to the rise of specialised care, we’ve made significant progress. And yet, one truth has remained constant through the years: preventive care still matters—perhaps now more than ever.
While modern medicine offers incredible treatment options, the greatest victories I’ve witnessed haven’t come from curing disease. They’ve come from preventing illness in the first place. Preventive care doesn’t make headlines or win awards, but it quietly saves lives, protects families, and lightens the burden on overwhelmed healthcare systems.
The Quiet Power of Prevention
Preventive care is not dramatic. There are no emergency surgeries or miracle drugs. It’s regular blood pressure checks. Routine screenings. Health education. It’s a consistent focus on early detection and lifestyle intervention before disease takes root.
In my years as a gastroenterologist, I encountered patients with colon cancer that could have been prevented through a simple screening. I met individuals living with chronic pain that started from something as manageable as untreated acid reflux. Time and again, I saw how a little knowledge and early action could have changed the entire outcome.
Preventive care is the foundation of good health. Without it, we’re simply reacting to illness instead of building resilience against it.
The Cost of Waiting Until It’s Too Late
There’s a reason why healthcare systems around the world are under immense pressure—because far too many cases present at the end of the disease cycle, not the beginning.
Treating advanced illness is more expensive, more complex, and more emotionally taxing for patients and families. And the reality is, many of these conditions are avoidable.
Diabetes, heart disease, stroke, liver failure, and many cancers are linked to factors we can control or monitor with early interventions. But if we ignore warning signs or skip screenings, we risk facing diseases that are harder to manage and harder to recover from.
As a physician, one of the hardest conversations is telling someone, “If only we’d caught this earlier.”
Barriers to Preventive Care Still Exist
Even with all we know about prevention, many people still don’t access these services. The reasons vary—lack of awareness, financial constraints, cultural stigma, or simply not knowing where to begin.
In underserved communities especially, preventive care is often seen as a luxury rather than a necessity. That’s why it’s crucial that healthcare professionals, policymakers, and community leaders work together to remove these barriers.
We need to reframe preventive care as a right, not a privilege. Because true wellness starts long before illness begins.
Faith and Prevention: A Shared Philosophy
As a follower of Jainism, I believe in doing no harm—not just to others, but to oneself. Preventive care aligns beautifully with this philosophy. When we care for our bodies with intention, we are honouring the gift of life.
Encouraging healthy habits, making time for regular check-ups, and educating the next generation about wellness—these are not just medical acts, but ethical ones. They reflect a deep respect for life in all its forms.
When we teach our communities that prevention is a form of compassion, we begin to shift the culture from treatment to protection.
What Preventive Care Looks Like in Practice
Over the years, I’ve encouraged patients and communities to focus on small, consistent actions that lead to long-term health:
- Routine screenings: colonoscopies, mammograms, blood sugar tests, and cholesterol checks
- Vaccinations: for flu, hepatitis, COVID-19, and other preventable diseases
- Lifestyle education: diet, exercise, smoking cessation, and stress management
- Community health programs: especially in rural and low-income areas
At the hospitals my wife and I manage, we’ve integrated outreach and education into our healthcare model. We believe in bringing preventive care to the people, not just waiting for them to come to us when it’s already too late.
Looking Ahead: Prevention as Legacy
As I reflect on my medical journey, I hope to leave behind more than just buildings or titles. I want to leave behind a culture that values prevention as much as treatment.
Whether you’re a patient, a parent, a student, or a doctor—each of us plays a role in promoting preventive care. It starts with regular check-ups, honest conversations, and the courage to prioritise our health today so we don’t pay for it tomorrow.
Because in the end, the best medicine is not the one that saves your life. It’s the one that helps you avoid illness altogether.
