51% of low-income patients in Hyderabad walk to hospitals to cut costs: HHF report

Hyderabad: A stark divide in healthcare equity has emerged in Hyderabad’s marginalised settlements. The Annual Urban Health Report – 2026 highlights a surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and deep financial vulnerability among low-income households.

The report, released on Tuesday by the city-based non-profit Helping Hand Foundation (HHF), paints a sobering picture of the ‘metabolic health crisis’ gripping over 150 urban and peri-urban settlements, including Hakeempet, Yakutpura and Shaheen Nagar.

Poverty and proximity

For the city’s most vulnerable, the distance to a doctor is often measured in footsteps rather than kilometres. The survey of 1,500 households found that:

- 51% of residents walk to health facilities specifically to avoid transportation costs.

- 35% of respondents cited affordable healthcare as their primary concern.

- Families in slum clusters often spend between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 per visit for routine ailments at private clinics, leading to a cycle of debt.

To combat this, HHF, supported by SEED-USA and AMPI-USA, now operates 20 Urban Comprehensive Community Health Centres. In 2025, these centres provided free care to nearly 5.89 lakh patients.

A shift toward the youth

The data reveals a concerning demographic shift: healthcare issues are no longer confined to the elderly.

- 42% of beneficiaries were children and adolescents (0–17 years)

- 25% were young adults (19–35 years)

- 65% of all patients were women, while migrant labourers made up 32% of the patient base.

Metabolic issues on the rise

The report underscores a mounting NCD crisis linked to sedentary lifestyles, poor diet, and high exposure to processed foods.

Key findings include:

Hypertension and Diabetes: Reported in 35 to 40% of households.

Hidden Risks: 1 in 3 adults is overweight; nearly 70% of these individuals are insulin-resistant or pre-diabetic without knowing it.

Cancer and Organ Failure: A rise in oral cancers among young men (linked to gutka/paan) and a sharp increase in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and strokes in middle-aged residents.

Women’s Health: Increasing prevalence of PCOS, PCOD and fibroids among young women.

Healthcare as social justice

The financial relief provided by free interventions has been transformative. Mujtaba Hasan Askari, Founder and Trustee of HHF, noted that community-based interventions have resulted in cumulative household savings approaching Rs 100 crore.

“Urban settlements with dense migrant populations require healthcare that is accessible, affordable, and close to home,” said Mujtaba Askari. “When delivered consistently, healthcare becomes an instrument of social justice.”

Beyond primary care, HHF’s help desks in 17 state-run hospitals facilitated over 8,100 advanced care referrals in 2025, saving poor patients an additional Rs 44.21 crore in tertiary care costs, such as surgeries and implants.

By bridging the gap between the doorstep and the diagnostic lab, the HHF report suggests that localised, free primary care is the most effective shield against the rising tide of medical debt in urban India.