According to WHO, one out of four Indians risks dying from one of the NCDs before the age of 70 years. India happens to one of the first countries to set national targets for reducing premature death due to NCDs as per WHO guidelines.
According to a 2015 report by World Health Organisation, 60% death in India is caused by Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) that includes cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, stroke, and chronic respiratory diseases. Further, the organisation also stated that one out of four Indians risks dying from one of the NCDs before the age of 70 years.
One of the most effective ways to prevent deaths due to NCDs is early detection. To ensure the same, the National Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is set to launch a programme for prevention, screening, and control of NCDs which will be based on population data. This programme is a part of National Health Mission and will cover hypertension, diabetes and cancers of oral cavity, breast and cervix.
The programme will be launched officially on February 4, and its first phase will cover 100 districts in 32 states as well as Union Territories. The ministry will set up around 1,000 sub-centres to conduct the screenings before March 31.
For the successful implementation of the programme, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery (ANM) workers will be trained and also protocols of various stages of the disease will be distributed.
NCDs are a major cause of premature deaths in India and the world. Unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, tobacco and alcohol abuse are considered to be the leading cause of NCDs. And, the NCDs that cause highest deaths are cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic lung diseases.
In the case of these four diseases, early detection is crucial and can be life-saving. In fact, most premature deaths caused by NCDs are preventable if detected and treated early.
India happens to one of the first countries to set national targets for reducing premature death due to NCDs per WHO’s Global Action Plan for the prevention and control of NCDs 2013-2020. The target is to reduce the premature death by 25% by the year 2025.
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has also drafted a National Action Plan and Monitoring Framework for Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases in India in the year 2012-13. The government has fixed targets for 2020 and 2025 and activities to achieve them have been set under this plan.
About the government efforts WHO Representative to India, Dr Nata Menabde, stated that “It is heartening to see the Government of India taking the leadership role in the prevention and control of NCDs.”
“As a partner to the global agenda on prevention and control of NCDs, we are committed to supporting national efforts towards strengthening the health systems to address the growing burden of NCDs and comorbidities.” Menabde further added.
