Rise in illness, but hospitalisation less, says govt

INDIA’ latest official health survey shows a sharp increase in illness without a corresponding rise in hospitalisation as treatment costs see steep jump.

- VISMAY BASU @New Dethi

The report, ‘Household Social Consumption: Health’, released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) this month, draws on data collected from January to December 2025. The report says 13.1% of Indians reported illness in a 15-day period, up from 7.5% in 2017-18, even as hospitalisation rates have stagnated at 2.9%. This points to a shift in the nature of disease, from acute infectious conditions to chronic ailments that require long-term care rather than hospital admission. Hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions now shape the burden of disease.