My Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis revealed a lot many aspects to fighting a chronic health condition. However, there is the hidden cost of living with an autoimmune condition that goes beyond the superficial costs of medicines, MRI scans, blood tests and hospital roomrents. We often talk about how a medical condition can burn a hole in your pocket however, these conversations remain fleeting and confined to family drawing rooms. We have barely scratched the surface.
Rarely do we acknowledge the hidden, everyday costs- the financial, emotional and mental toll of living with a chronic illness in today’s world. The costs that follow you from hospital to home. Today, I want to shed light on some of these hidden costs—physiotherapy, nutrition, mental health support and the indispensable presence of general duty attendants or caregivers.
Physical rehabilitation
Let us begin with physiotherapy. On September 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X about World Physiotherapy Day underlining the crucial role of physiotherapists. He is right. Physiotherapy is not just important, it can be at times as vital as the medical treatment itself. What remains unspoken is the monetary burden it places on those in need.
Living with a chronic neurological condition, I have relied on physiotherapy for over a year- six days a week without fail. Many of my peers undergoing treatment for MS need it at least three times a week. The reality, however, is that access comes at a steep price. In Delhi/NCRa single session can cost anywhere between ₹700 and ₹2,000. How feasible is it to sustain such an expense week after week for patients struggling to find balance between work and emotional, physical well-being?
The cost doesn’t end with physiotherapist’s fee. It continues to pile up with the equipment that physiotherapists often recommend, rightly so, because these tools are essential for recovery.
For those with mobility challenges, the list is long and varied: wheelchair, walker, knee brace, leg brace, hand splint, resistance bands, yoga ball, stepper, foot splints and more. Each item carries a price tag and together they add up to a significant, ongoing expense—one that rarely finds a place in public conversations about healthcare. Let’s not forget the additional cost of making a home disabled-friendly for a patient with mobility issues. Installing grab bars, support rods and accessible bathrooms come with a heavy price. These adjustments are not a luxury, they are a necessity for basic safety and dignity.
Eating healthy comes at a cost
Nutrition is the second biggest hidden expense when it comes to fighting an illness. At the2025 Pariksha Pe Charcha event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged students to incorporate millets in their diets. This is indeed a step in the right direction. However, we
overlook the affordability factor. A kilo of jowar flour can cost as much as ₹153, compared to about ₹73 for wheat flour and around ₹103 for multigrain flour.
If you consider switching from regular vegetable oils which many nutritionists now say aren’t the healthiest choice to alternatives like olive oil or coconut oil, it’s important to factor in the price difference. A litre of regular vegetable oil costs about ₹142, mustard oil is around₹249, coconut oil comes in at ₹808, while olive oil can go as high as ₹1,256 per litre.
The addition of green vegetables from the cruciferous family is encouraged as part of ananti-inflammatory diet. However, a 250-gram broccoli floret can cost around ₹200. If you want to switch to avocados, which are rich in healthy fats, or blueberries, strawberries packed with antioxidants vital for optimal brain function, you can expect a noticeable rise in monthly grocery expenditure. An average-sized Indian avocado is about ₹70 per piece, while125 grams of blueberries can cost up to ₹250.
Let’s not forget supplements. Today more and more people are relying on these to maintain and fulfill their diet requirements. Supplements often become essential for supporting faster recovery. Let’s talk about three of the most commonly used supplements today—VitaminB12, Magnesium Citrate, and Vitamin C. A bottle of 180 capsules of Vitamin C fromareputed brand, often the kind recommended by leading nutritionists, can cost as much as ₹5,967. Similarly, 240 capsules of Magnesium Citrate can cost around ₹5,692, while a Vitamin B12 spray can come to about ₹3,450. It’s important to note that these figures are based on prices in metropolitan cities like Delhi, and the actual cost may vary depending on the brand, where you purchase them from, and even the nutritionist or doctor prescribing them.
The real question is: can the average Indian family truly afford to follow a healthy lifestyle?Beyond the financial burden, there’s also social judgment attached to eating healthy. If you say you’re having chhole bhature, people will cheer you on, serve you a full plate and even insist you to eat more.
But the moment you mention you’re avoiding gluten or dairy, you’re met with pity, judgment, and questions like, “Why would you do this to yourself?” Elimination for one’s good health is viewed as deprivation by friends and family. The “sab khaao” attitude of theIndian society makes it difficult for the patient to follow a healthy lifestyle.
Caregiving expenses
The third expense I want to highlight is that of attendants or caregivers, often referred toas general duty assistants or patient care assistants. They are the ones who look after the sick, the elderly, or people with mobility challenges at home, while also easing the workload of family members. From what I’ve seen in my own circle, the cost of hiring an attendant from private hospitals for 12 hours typically ranges from ₹1,000 to ₹1,300 per day. Now, imagine the situation of a patient who requires such support regularly or every single day—youcando the math and see how quickly this becomes a massive financial cost.
Emotional and mental cost
The fourth expense I want to discuss is mental health therapy. Finding a qualified psychotherapist, even in metropolitan cities, is not easy—I can say this from personal experience. During a difficult time, I decided to seek help, and even just finding the right
professional was a challenge. When I finally did, the cost was ₹1,700 per session and that was a discounted rate. Therapy was meant to help me relax and cope, but paying ₹1,700 per session added more to my existing stress. High costs like these make it extremely difficult for people to seek help, especially in a country like India, where mental health is still largely taboo.
In addition, for someone with mobility challenges, the expenses don’t end. Basic necessities like premium diapers and underpads, which are essential for dignity and comfort, come at a recurring cost—a single diaper can cost up to ₹37, and an underpad around ₹17. Depending on the frequency and usage this is an imperative part of a patient’s recovery cycle. Even mobility aids themselves can be staggering; a friend of mine recently purchased a high- quality electric wheelchair for ₹49,000.
The reality is stark: living with chronic illnesses like Multiple Sclerosis, Guillain-BarreSyndrome (GBS), Epilepsy or Rheumatoid Arthritis is not just physically and emotionally taxing but financially exhausting as well. Recovery, or even maintaining stability, feels like a privilege that requires deep pockets. And it shouldn’t be this way. The ability to access basic treatments, essential care, and the tools for recovery should never be determined by wealth. At the very least, the prices of the most fundamental necessities must be made accessible to all.