India is blessed with water on its three sides. The Indian Navy is the entity responsible for safeguarding the maritime border. The Navy detects and defeats threats against the country during war and peace. To commemorate India's victory in Operation Trident during the Indo-Pak war in 1971, we celebrate 4th December as Navy Day across the country. This Indian Navy Day, let us appreciate our Naval officers by shedding light on the various occupational health risks they face every day while protecting us.

In the pre-independence era, the Royal Indian Navy celebrated Navy Day on 21st October 1944 to increase awareness about the Navy among the general public. However, at the Senior Naval Officer's conference in 1972, officials decided to recognise 4th December as Navy Day. The objective was to commemorate Operation Trident, the attack on Karachi harbour during the 1971 war, remember, and to pay respects to the martyrs of the war. The first week of December is typically celebrated as Navy week.

The following are common health hazards naval officers typically face.

• Psychological stress

Naval officers are under constant threat of attacks. Officers must stay on ships for months on end, away from their families. Long working hours away from the land or underneath the sea can impact mental health. Social isolation is among the leading stressors of psychological distress. After-war effects include post-traumatic stress disorders, which further affect the officers' ability to work.

• Cancers

Continuous exposure to the sun can cause harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and permeate the skin barrier. This exposure can cause skin cancers. Engine operators are at a high risk of lung cancer. Submarine personnel are typically exposed to asbestos fibres that, when inhaled, can cause mesothelioma, i.e., a deadly type of cancer affecting internal organs.

• Ear diseases

Naval aviators are at risk from ear-related diseases as they undergo pilot training. Aircraft and helicopter noises can reach deafening decibels. Continuous exposure to high-frequency aircraft noise levels can damage the peripheral cochlear organs and central auditory pathway and result in numerous ear-related disorders.

• Hypertension

Being in the Navy is a stressful job. Reaction to occupational stress can cause blood pressure to rise, leading to hypertension. Moreover, alcohol consumption, sleep deprivation and other similar health conditions can cause hypertension. This illness is a silent killer that can further cause severe diseases such as heart attack, kidney failure, vascular dementia, etc.

There's no denying that a naval officer's job is highly strenuous. Typically, naval officers and their dependents can avail of medical insurance benefits the Indian Government provides. They can get access to medical care through military hospitals and dental facilities. However, considering the numerous occupational risks, having additional health insurance can prove beneficial. As a naval officer, you can buy an individual or family floater plan to protect you and your family from the exorbitant medical costs. You can further enhance your sum insured by purchasing critical insurance and cancer insurance riders.

This Navy Day, ensure you invest in your health with a suitable health insurance policy.