Steps Taken to Reduce Non-Communicable Diseases

Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR- NIE) conducted a mortality survey among persons older than 15 years during 2015-18 in 12 (8 North-East and four from the rest of the country) tribal districts, which found that 66% of the total deaths were caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The top NCD causes of death were cardiovascular diseases (heart diseases-24%), followed by cancers (11%). The study indicates that NCDs have replaced other causes of death (such as infectious diseases), even among the tribal population.

The Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) as part of the National Health Mission (NHM), based on the proposals received from the States/UTs and subject to the resource envelope. The programme focuses on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, health promotion & awareness generation for Cancer prevention, early diagnosis, management and referral to an appropriate healthcare facility for the treatment of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), including Cancer. Under NPCDCS, 707 District NCD Clinics, 268 District Day Care Centres, and 5541 Community Health Center NCD Clinics have been set up.

A population-based initiative for prevention, control and screening for common NCDs, i.e. diabetes, hypertension and common cancers, has been rolled out in the country under NHM and as a part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care. Under the initiative, persons over 30 years of age are targeted for screening for the three common cancers, i.e. oral, breast and cervical. Screening of these common cancers is integral to service delivery under Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres.

The preventive aspect of Cancer is strengthened under Comprehensive Primary Health Care through the Ayushman Bharat Health Wellness Centre scheme by promoting wellness activities and targeted communication at the community level. Other initiatives for increasing public awareness about Cancer and for the promotion of a healthy lifestyle include observation of National Cancer Awareness Day& World Cancer Day and the use of print, electronic and social media for continued community awareness. Furthermore, healthy eating is also promoted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Fit India movement is implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Ministry of AYUSH carries out various Yoga-related activities. In addition, NPCDCS gives financial support under NHM for awareness generation (IEC) activities for Cancer to be taken by the States/UTs as per their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs).

The State/UT-wise details of funds provided in the NPCDCS Program under the Flexible Pool for Non-Communicable Diseases programme under NHM during 2021-22 are given in Annexure 1.

The Central Government implements the Strengthening of Tertiary Cancer Care Centres Facilities Scheme to enhance the facilities for tertiary care of cancer. 19 State Cancer Institutes (SCIs) and 20 Tertiary Cancer Care Centres (TCCCs) have been approved under the said scheme.

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

Annexure 1