Figures from the recently concluded health screening of about 2 crore individuals by a national programme for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has health experts worried. A total of 1,99,43,789 persons were screened in 2016-17 by the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS). Of these, over 10 per cent were found to be diabetic, 13 per cent had hypertension and one per cent suffered from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and stroke.
The numbers are alarming and indicate a steep rise in NCDs. The 2013 data, when 5.57 crore persons were screened, pegged the diabetes burden at 6.14 per cent, and hypertension in 5.12 per cent of the sample size.
“NCDs are the cause of about 60 per cent deaths every year. It’s a major concern for the health ministry. NPCDCS is focused on prevention and control of NCDs with health promotion, early diagnosis, treatment, and strengthening of infrastructure and human resource,” said Dr Jagdish Prasad, Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
NPCDCS was started in 2010 in 100 districts. The aim is to scale it up pan-India by March 2018. The programme is implemented through NCD clinics set up in district hospitals and community health centres.
Experts, however claim that more is needed. “NCD clinics have helped previously undiagnosed patients. But prevalence of diseases can’t be commented upon. Clinic-based data are likely to be biased. More studies with correct sampling methods are required,” said Dr Anoop Misra, Member, National Control Programme for Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases, MoHFW. He is also the Chairman at Fortis-C-DOC Centre for Diabetes, Metabolic Diseases and Endocrinology.
As per a 2013 Union health ministry data, CVDs, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases accounted for 3.1 million premature deaths in the age group of 30-69. As per estimates, India stands to lose $4.58 trillion between 2012 and 2030, due to NCDs.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Doctors")
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}