Every year, Doctors’ Day celebrates the dedication of medical professionals who work tirelessly to treat illnesses and save lives. But as lifestyle diseases continue to rise across India, the conversation is shifting from curing diseases to preventing them.
According to Dr. Basabbijay Sarkar, Director – Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, the future of healthcare lies in adopting a “prevention first” approach, where healthy lifestyle choices, regular screenings and early intervention become the strongest defence against chronic illnesses.
In his Doctors’ Day message, Dr. Sarkar explains why prevention is no longer an option but the foundation of better health, and how doctors today are evolving from healers to partners in helping people lead healthier lives.
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‘The blueprint for better health begins long before the hospital visit’
“Medicine is undergoing a profound transformation,” Dr. Sarkar explains, noting that healthcare has traditionally focused on diagnosing diseases after symptoms appear. However, with lifestyle-related illnesses becoming increasingly common, he believes the focus must now shift.
“Curing disease is often far more difficult and far more expensive than preventing it. Today, the blueprint for better health begins long before the hospital visit. It begins with everyday choices at home, in schools, workplaces and communities.”
According to him, modern medicine recognises that “nearly 70 to 80 percent of chronic diseases,” including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity and several cancers, are significantly influenced by lifestyle factors such as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, chronic stress and inadequate sleep.
Three pillars of preventive healthcare
Calling prevention the “cornerstone of twenty-first-century healthcare,” Dr. Sarkar explained that preventive medicine rests on three key pillars.
The first is primary prevention, which focuses on stopping diseases before they develop. “Vaccinations, healthy diets, regular exercise and quitting smoking are among the most effective ways to prevent diseases,” he said.
The second is secondary prevention, which aims to detect illnesses early through regular health screenings. Blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar and cholesterol tests, mammograms, Pap tests, colonoscopies, eye examinations and dental check-ups can help identify diseases at an early stage when treatment is more effective.
The third is tertiary prevention, which focuses on reducing complications in people already living with a disease.
“Managing diabetes well can prevent kidney failure and blindness. Cardiac rehabilitation can reduce the chances of another heart attack, while timely physiotherapy can help reduce disability after a stroke. Even when a disease cannot be cured, prevention helps improve outcomes,” he added.
Technology supports prevention, but healthy habits remain key
Dr. Sarkar said advancements such as wearable devices, artificial intelligence and telemedicine are making preventive healthcare more accessible by helping doctors identify health risks earlier.
However, he stressed that “technology alone cannot take the place of personal responsibility.”
“Many patients come to see a doctor only when they are in pain, discomfort or disability. Yet many diseases develop quietly over the years. High blood pressure, diabetes and even early cancers often show no warning signs until significant damage has already occurred,” Dr Sarkar emphasized.
Doctors are partners in building healthier lives
Beyond prescribing medicines, Dr. Sarkar believes doctors now have a much broader role.
“Doctors are not just healers of disease anymore. They are also teachers, counsellors and supporters of healthier living. Every consultation is an opportunity to talk about nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, vaccinations, regular screening and mental wellness,” he stressed.
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He also emphasised the growing importance of mental health, saying anxiety, depression, burnout and chronic stress can have a significant impact on physical well-being. Creating supportive families, workplaces and communities where seeking help is encouraged is equally important, he added.
Concluding his Doctors’ Day message, Dr. Sarkar said the success of modern healthcare should not be measured only by advanced treatments but by how effectively people can stay healthy throughout their lives.
“The greatest success for any physician is not simply treating illness but preventing it. Prevention is no longer an alternative to treatment, it is the base upon which better health is built. The healthiest future starts today, long before disease ever arrives,” he said.
