INDIA: A recent study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has shown that India is likely to suffer massive income loss in the coming years, due to a rising tide of chronic diseases at the workplace.

Long work hours and stress are leading to lifestyle illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, stroke and chronic lung infections.

Most of these diseases are a direct result of spending too much time at the workplace, combined with performance stress, long commutes and night shifts.

In terms of revenue loss, India is expected to suffer a setback to the tune of US$237 billion between 2005 and 2015.

This will be due to increasing absenteeism, low productivity, as well as growing compensation and disability payments for workers.

Some 60 million Indians may die of chronic diseases within the next decade.

Dr Jothydev Kesavdev, Director of Diabetes Research Centre, Kerala, said: "Lifestyle illnesses like high blood sugar or even diseases of the heart or high blood pressure, high cholesterol can remain silent without producing any symptoms. This can last for eight to ten years until the patient goes to the hospital with an emergency."

A major reason for the rise in cardiovascular and related illnesses is the lifestyle adopted by affluent Indians.

Lack of physical activity and poor dietary habits are the reasons why almost 47 per cent of the workforce in Indian industries were found to be overweight. 27 per cent suffered from hypertension and around 10 percent of those surveyed were also found to be diabetic.

Vandana Aadesh, Teacher, The Art of Living, said: "The problem happens because we are not able to deal with our mind. We are not able to deal with our emotions and relationships."

Some companies have recognised this concern and are trying to stem the damage. There is an array of recreational facilities and counselling offered to those who are seen as stress prone.

Renu Bhatt, Technical Specialist, Wipro Infotech, said: "The one I liked was Sudarshan Kriya. That was an awesome experience... a very effective stress buster. After I had that, I was feeling completely out of the world. It's an awesome experience. You feel very relaxed and happy from the inside. You think there is no tension at all in the world."

Yoga is the new buzzword in multinational companies which are trying to counter stress, but whether or not it will be just a passing trend remains to be seen.

Even though an entire generation of workers in India are under threat, lifestyle diseases can be easily prevented if companies take stock of their employees' health.


- CNA/so