Lok Sabha Question No. 1915 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-29
Subject: Programmes to Contain Diabetes
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: M.K. Vishnu Prasad, Gopal Chinayya Shetty

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1915 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH NOVEMBER, 2019

## PROGRAMMES TO CONTAI N DIABETES

## 1915. DR. VISHNU PRASAD M.K.: SHRI GOPAL CHINNAYA SHETTY:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether as per World Health Organisation (WHO) India accounts for nearly 6.5 crore patients  of  diabetes  which is  likely  to  increase  to  10.5  crore  by  the year  2035,  i f  so,  the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b) whether twenty per cent of the total diabetes patients suffer from Retinopathy which at times leads even to the loss of vision and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government is also aware that one in seven diabetics is visually impaired, which is 10 times higher than the global average;
- (d) if so, whether any programmes have been prepared for creating mass awareness among the public, especially among diabetics to prevent impairment in visi on and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the specific measures being taken to contain Retinopathy, glaucoma, Cataract and other complication of eyes arising out of the incidence of diabetes along with the amount spent for the treatment of diabetes in th e country during each of the last three years and the current year till date?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) : As  informed  by  Indian  Council  of  Medical  Research( ICMR),  as  per  report  of  the International  Diabetes  Federation  Atlas,    India  accounts  for  over  7.29  crore  peopl diabetes  and the number of people with diabetes is estimated to increase to 13.4 cr 2045.

India aims to halt rise in prevalence of diabetes by 2025.  Government of India is implementing  National  Programme  for  Prevention  and  Control  of  Cancer,  Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke(NPCDCS) for interventions upto district level under National Health Mission(NHM),  with focus on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, health promotion & awareness generation, early diagnosis, management an referral to an appropriate level institution for treatment and follow up of non - communicable diseases including diabetes .

To tackle the challenge of Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) including diabetes, 599 NCD Clinics at District level and 3,274 NCD Clinics at Community Health Centre lev have  been  set  up  under  the  programme .  Treatment  for  diabetes  is  also  available  at  othe health  facilities  run  by  the  Central  and  State  Governments.  Population  level  initia prevention, control and screening for common NCDs (diabetes, hypertension and common cancers  viz.  oral,  breast  a nd  cervical  cancer)  has  also  been  rolled  out  under  the  Nationa Health Mission (NHM) in over 215 districts. Screening of common NCDs including diabete is also an integral part of service delivery under Ayushman Bharat - Health and Wellness Centres.

- (b): The prevalence of any form of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in diabetic population more  than  50  years  was  16.9%  as  per  the  findings  of  the  National  Diabetic  Retinop Survey (2015 - 19) conducted in 21 selected districts of the country under National Prog ram for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI).

Diabetic retinopathy, if not diagnosed and treated on time, can lead to permanent blindne Further, uncontrolled diabetes can also lead to diabetic retinopathy.

- (c) : The prevalence of visual i mpairment in diabetic population aged more than 50 years was 13.7% as per the findings of the National Diabetic Retinopathy Survey. According t report of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS, New Delhi, one every seven persons in age group more than 50 years and above is visually impaired in Ind and it is similar in both diabetic and non - diabetic population.
- (d): Information,  Education  and  Communication  (IEC)  is  an  ongoing  activity  under NPCBVI  to  create  mass  awareness  among the  public  including  diabetics  to  prevent impairment  in  vision,  through  print,  electronic  and  digital  media.  Special  campaig undertaken  during  the  World  Sight  Day  to  educate  people  about  the  measures  to  prev impairment in vision.
- (e ): The follow ing specific measures are being taken under NPCBVI to contain diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataract and other complications of eyes arising out of the incidence of diabetes:
1. Eye screening of diabetic patients for diabetic retinopathy.
2. Grant  in  aid  for  p erforming  cataract  surgeries  to  Government,  Non -Governmental Organizations and Private Practitioners.
3. Grant  in  aid  to  Non - Governmental  Organizations    and  Private  Practitioners  for treatment and management of other eye diseases viz. glaucoma, diabetic retin opathy etc.
4. In- service training of eye surgeons for up -gradation of skills for early diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases.
5. Sensitization  workshops  for  District  Ophthalmologists  for  early  detection treatment of glaucoma.
6. One  time  grant  to  Regional  In stitutes  of  Ophthalmology  and  Government  Medical Colleges for strengthening their infrastructure to improve quality of care.
7. Provision of non - mydriatic fundus camera and tele - ophthalmology to expand the eye care services at primary health centres.
8. IEC acti vities for awareness generation.