Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda revealed the government’s comprehensive approach to tackling Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), which contribute to 60% of all deaths in India. Speaking at the 18th Civil Services Day celebrations, Nadda stressed the shift in India’s healthcare focus from preventive to curative care.
Nadda highlighted the implementation of a holistic health policy in 2017, encompassing preventive, promotive, curative, geriatric, rehabilitative, and palliative care. He noted the need for increased attention on NCDs due to longer outcomes and existing knowledge gaps.
Under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of NCDs, the government prioritizes infrastructure strengthening, early diagnosis, health promotion, disease management, and timely referral. Nadda emphasized the significance of health promotion, disease management, and timely referral in addressing non-communicable diseases.
The Minister reported the establishment of over 1.85 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in the past six years, serving as primary contact points between the population and healthcare facilities. Each center is staffed with an ASHA worker and other frontline health personnel, aiming to enhance community health services.
Nadda highlighted the initiative’s success, citing the setup of 107 NCD clinics and 233 cardiac care units at the district level. Additionally, plans are in place to establish day care cancer centers in every district, as announced in the recent budget. The government’s extensive screening efforts have reached 41.5 crore individuals for hypertension since 2017, with significant numbers diagnosed and receiving treatment.
