Why preventive care is the key to healthy living

Tablet with the text Prevention is better than cure. [Getty Images]

We live in a fast-paced world where people hardly have time to eat right, sleep well or even exercise. This is the reason we are faced with endless lifestyle diseases, with most people making their way to health facilities when they only feel sick. The importance of regular health check-ups cannot be overemphasised as this will not only save lives, but also resources and time.

Imagine one day, you wake up feeling sick. Your first instinct will obviously be to go to the hospital. But then you receive the shocking news that you have a chronic disease. But more shocking, that you've had it for some time. You will certainly panic as a result of such distressing news. Then the many questions of how, when or why will start to cloud your mind. But suppose you had an early warning sign of the said disease? The truth is, the necessary steps would have been taken to prevent it. This is what preventive care is all about.

Preventive care is meant to help reduce the risks of contracting diseases, or potential disabilities or even death. Simply put, preventive care is like an early warning indicator that alerts you when something is not right.

Preventive care is important for people of all ages. From children, to young adults, and the old. Children for instance, are predisposed to sicknesses during their developing stages. Keeping track of their health progress is important as it helps to single out any potential issues. Thus, regular visits to a pediatrician are recommended. As one grows older, they are susceptible to diseases as a result of old age. This means they should regularly get health check-ups.

The nature of work that people engage in should also determine how often one needs to get their check-ups. Employees who work in manufacturing or industrial companies are exposed to noise or air pollution. It is advisable for them to also have regular check-ups to ensure their organs are okay.

If preventive care is important, why is it not being taken up? Presently, 36 per cent of Kenyans are at risk of being impoverished by the financial burden of chronic diseases thus the need to raise more awareness on the importance of investing in preventive care. Other impeding factors include lack of access to health facilities, and the lack of knowledge or awareness on the same. As crucial as preventive care is, there is a misconception that it is meant to avert chronic diseases only. On the contrary, preventive care is intended for our overall wellbeing.

As government works towards improving our healthcare system, priority should be given to preventive care. This will help save money that is otherwise used in curative care. It is also a call for health facilities to underscore the importance of preventive care. Additionally, screening and testing should be offered at affordable prices to enable everyone access healthcare.

Ms Waithaka is the Communications Officer at CityHealth Hospital