Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 63% of all deaths in India, with heart disease, diabetes, and stroke impacting the workforce, according to a study by digital health firm MediBuddy and CII.
The study noted that the doctor-to-population ratio remains below WHO guidelines, with 70% of Indians in rural/semi-urban areas facing significant access barriers to diagnostics and routine care.
It also noted that only 41% of Indian households have any form of health insurance, leaving over 50 crore people vulnerable to health expenses.
1 December 2025
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It also pointed out that the OPD insurance penetration in India remains below 0.1%, a significant gap compared to over 85 per cent in the US and 95 per cent in Singapore, leaving most outpatient expenses uncovered, despite OPD accounting for nearly 70% of out-of-pocket healthcare spending.
In the workplace, presenteeism and chronic illnesses cost Indian companies up to ₹1.12 lakh per employee annually, the report stated.
Over 70% of employees have at least one lifestyle-related risk factor, yet only 20% of employers provide routine health screenings, it noted.
"India’s journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047 cannot rest on economic metrics alone; it must be built on the health, productivity, and well-being of its people. As we stand at this inflection point, employee wellness can no longer be treated as an optional benefit but must be considered a strategic imperative," MediBuddy Co-founder & CEO Satish Kannan stated.
With rising health risks and evolving workforce expectations, this report, in collaboration with CII, offers actionable insights and data-driven frameworks to help organisations transition from annual health camps to always-on, digital-first ecosystems, he added.
