An Article, "Health Is More Important Than Wealth", by Arundhati Udhari.
Health Is More Important Than Wealth.
I have always heard people saying, “Health is more important than wealth.” I believed those words, but I never truly understood their meaning.
I understood them only after seeing people close to me struggle with serious health problems and losing people I loved.
I am writing this article to share what I have learned from these experiences. I do not want anyone to go through the struggles my family has faced—not even someone I consider my enemy.
I lost my brother who suffered from hydrocephalus. I also saw another brother fight systemic lupus. These experiences taught me that health is something we often take for granted until it is suddenly taken away from us.
Recently, my mama's son (my maternal cousin) developed a fever. None of us could have imagined that something that seemed so ordinary would turn into such a painful experience. During his treatment, my family faced situations that left us deeply disturbed and with many questions about the care and decisions made during his treatment.
We could not bring him back home alive.
For my mama and mami, it was an unimaginable loss. They went to the hospital with hope, believing they would return home with their son. Instead, they had to face a loss that no parent should ever have to experience.
That experience taught me an important lesson:
In matters of health, we must be alert and informed.
We should respect doctors and trust medical professionals, but we should also have the courage to ask questions.
What is happening?
Why is this test needed?
What treatment is being given?
What are the risks?
What does the medical report say?
If we do not understand something, we should ask again. If the situation requires it, we should not hesitate to seek a second medical opinion.
Being informed does not mean disrespecting doctors. It means being responsible for ourselves and for the people we love.
During a medical emergency, families are often scared and confused. That is why someone needs to stay calm, observe carefully, keep medical records and understand what is happening.
Keep your reports. Keep prescriptions. Know the medicines being given. Ask questions. Understand the diagnosis and treatment as much as possible.
Be alert. Be strong. And have the courage to ask.
Another important lesson I learned is the importance of health insurance.
When a serious illness or emergency occurs, the emotional burden is already enormous. On top of that, medical expenses can place a huge financial burden on a family.
Health insurance cannot prevent illness, and it cannot undo a loss. But having appropriate insurance can help a family manage the financial pressure of medical treatment.
We often think about protecting our homes, vehicles and other possessions. We should also think about protecting our health and our family's financial security.
People should understand their insurance policy before an emergency happens—what it covers, what it does not cover, waiting periods, exclusions, network hospitals and how claims work.
Health is not something we should value only after losing it.
My family has experienced pain that I wish nobody else has to experience.
I cannot change what happened. I cannot bring my brothers back.
But I can share what their lives and their struggles have taught me.
Take your health seriously.
Do not ignore concerning symptoms.
Seek proper medical care.
Ask questions.
Stay informed.
Support your family during difficult medical situations.
And prepare financially for the possibility of a health emergency.
Because when everything else is taken away, we realise that the greatest wealth we ever had was our health—and the people we loved.
