AMC questions IRDAI over preferential treatment in Saif Ali Khan’s insurance case
Mumbai: The Association of Medical Consultants (AMC), Mumbai, has written to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) regarding alleged preferential treatment extended to actor Saif Ali Khan by an insurance provider.
The issue surfaced after a social media user, Nikhil Jha, shared a letter alleging that the insurance company approved ₹25 lakh for Khan’s treatment at Lilavati Hospital within hours, bypassing standard protocols, such as requiring an FIR copy in medicolegal cases. Jha further claimed that the final bill of ₹36 lakh, covering a four-day hospital stay and surgery, was approved swiftly.
The AMC, representing over 14,000 medical professionals across Mumbai and nearby regions, criticised the incident as a glaring example of inequality in healthcare insurance. They highlighted that high-profile individuals and corporate policyholders often benefit from higher cashless limits and faster approvals, while ordinary citizens face bureaucratic challenges and inadequate coverage.
In its letter, the AMC called for IRDAI to:
1. Investigate the Saif Ali Khan incident.
2. Ensure equal treatment for all policyholders.
3. Establish stricter guidelines to prevent preferential treatment.
4. Increase transparency in cashless treatment approvals to rebuild public trust.
The AMC also raised concerns over the disparity in reimbursement rates offered by insurance companies, noting that smaller hospitals and nursing homes are often paid less than large corporate hospitals, jeopardising the sustainability of smaller healthcare providers.
Jha echoed these concerns on social media, accusing the insurer of applying stricter rules for ordinary citizens while offering preferential treatment to celebrities. He urged the IRDAI to clarify why Niva Bupa allegedly handled this case differently.
Saif Ali Khan was hospitalised at Lilavati Hospital following multiple stab injuries during a robbery at his Bandra residence on January 16. He underwent surgery and was discharged after five days.
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Over 75 percent of Karnataka’s population obese, overweight: Report
Bengaluru: A new health report has revealed that over 75% of Karnataka's population screened in 2024 is either obese or overweight, highlighting an alarming rise in lifestyle-related health issues.
According to the Health of the Nation 2025 report by Apollo Hospitals, as cited by The New Indian Express on Tuesday, 56% of those screened were diagnosed as obese, while another 21% were classified as overweight.
The report underscores a growing public health crisis, driven by sedentary lifestyles, poor nutrition, and undiagnosed chronic conditions that often do not show visible symptoms. The annual report, which examined health data from over 2.5 million preventive screenings conducted across the Apollo ecosystem in India, reveals that symptom-based healthcare is increasingly insufficient to address these hidden health risks.
In Karnataka, the report found that 28% of the individuals screened were hypertensive, with half of them classified as pre-hypertensive. Diabetes was found in 20% of the population, with an additional 25% falling into the pre-diabetic category. These figures reflect the rising metabolic stress among asymptomatic individuals, many of whom are unaware of their conditions.
Additionally, the report noted that 84% of the screened individuals in the state had low vitamin D levels, which can negatively impact bone health and immunity. Furthermore, 64% exhibited reduced flexibility, affecting musculoskeletal wellness.
Dr Prathap C. Reddy, Chairman of Apollo Hospitals, emphasised the need for India to shift towards a preventive health culture. "Early screening, personalised interventions, and health education should become integral to our homes, schools, and workplaces," TNIE quoted him as saying.
The report also highlighted several other health threats, including fatty liver disease, post-menopause health risks, and childhood obesity. Of the 2.5 million people screened nationally, 65% had fatty liver with 85% of those cases being non-alcoholic. Heart disease signs were present in 46% of asymptomatic individuals, while post-menopausal women saw a sharp increase in both obesity (from 76% to 86%) and diabetes (from 14% to 40%).
Childhood obesity is also becoming a significant concern, with the report revealing that 28% of college students were either overweight or obese, and 19% showed signs of prehypertension.
Mental health issues, often under-reported, emerged as another area of concern, with 7% of women and 5% of men screened nationwide showing symptoms of clinical depression, particularly among the middle-aged population.
