Lok Sabha Question No. 1139 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-22
Subject: Increase in Cases of Cancer and Other Diseases
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Jyotsna Charandas Mahant

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1139 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22 ND NOVEMBER, 2019

## INCREASE IN CASES OF CANCER AND OTHER DISEASES

## 1139. SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA: SHRIMATI JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that according to a latest report of National Health Profile, 2019 released by the Government, the cases of cancer, dia betes, hypertension and pneumonia have increased rapidly in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken and proposed to be taken by the Government to tackle this alarm ng situation of increase in cases of these diseases by providing more healthcare facilities?

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

(a)& (b): The figures reported in the National Health Profile, 2019 is of number of pe diagnosed with cancer, diabetes and hypertension out of number of persons screened at Communicable  Disease  (NCD)  clinics  under  the  National  Programme  for  Prevention  and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS), as reported States/UTs. Under NPCDCS opportunistic screening for common NCDs (Diabetes, Hypertension and three common cancers -oral, breast and cervix) is done for those visiting NCD clinics at the District and Community Health Centres (CHC) levels. As more and more peo visit NCD clinics and get themselves screened, the cases of early detection also increase however  not  an  indicator  of  overall  incidence  of  cancer,  diabe tes  and  hypertension.  The estimates of cancer in India are based on National Cancer Registry Program (NCRP) under Indian Council of Medical Research. As per NCRP data, the number of new cancer cases in country was 14.51 lakh in 2016 and 15.86 lakh in 2018. According to the ICMR study 'India: Health  of  Nation's  States',  Disability  Adjusted  Life  Years  (DALY)  have  increased  by  about 80% for diabetes and 24.2% for high blood pressure from 1990 to 2016. It is estimated tha million cases of childhoo d (under 5 years) pneumonia occur every year in the country.

- (c): Health is State subject. The Central Government however supplements the efforts of State  Governments.  National  Programme  for  Prevention  and  Control  of  Cancer,  Diabete Cardiovascular  Diseases  and  Stroke  (NPCDCS)  is  being  implemented  under  National  Hea lth Mission (NHM), with focus on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, hea promotion & awareness generation, early diagnosis, management and referral to an appropr level institution for treatment.

To tackle the challenge of Non Communicable Diseases (NCD), including cancer, 599 NCD Clinics at District level and 3,274 NCD Clinics at Community Health Centre level h been  set  up  under  the  programme.    Population  level  initiative  for  prevention,  contr screening for common NCD s (diabetes, hypertension and common cancers viz. oral, breast an cervical cancer) has also been rolled out under the National Health Mission (NHM) in ove districts.  Screening  of  common  NCDs  including  three  common  cancers  i.e.  oral,  breast cervic al is also an integral part of service delivery under Ayushman Bharat -Health and Wellness Centres. Under NHM support is provided to States/UTs to provide free essential medicines diagnostic services for primary and secondary health care needs. Severa l measures have been taken to discourage the use of tobacco products, which is one of the key risk factors of besides  initiatives  to  promote  healthy  lifestyles  through  healthy  eating  and  regular activity.

To  enhance  the  facilities  for  ter tiary  care  of  cancer,  the  Central  Government  is implementing Strengthening of Tertiary Care for Cancer Scheme, under which setting up of State  Cancer  Institutes  and  20  Tertiary  Care  Cancer  Centres  have  been  approved.    Fur Oncology is also one of th e focus areas in case of new AIIMS and many upgraded institutions under  Pradhan  Mantri  Swasthya  Suraksha  Yojana  (PMSSY).Setting  up  of  National  Cancer Institute at Jhajjar in Haryana and Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, has approve d.  Treatment  of  various  cancers  is  also  available  under  Ayushman  Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). Besides this,Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implant for Treatment (AMRIT) Deendayal outlets have been opened at 169 Institutions/Hospita ls with an  objective  to  make  available  Cancer  and  Cardiovascular  Diseases  drugs  and  implants discounted  prices  to  the  patients.  Under  the  umbrella  scheme  of  Rashtriya  Arogya  Ni financial assistance is provided to families living below threshold pove rty line for their treatment, including treatment of cancer, in Government hospitals.

In  order  to  address  issue  of  Childhood  Pneumonia  effective  coverage  of  protect preventive  and  treat  interventions  (PPT  interventions)  with  specific  emphasis  on  exc sive breastfeeding,  adequate  complementary  feeding  and  Vitamin  A  supplementation,  vaccinati against  Hib  and  measles,  safe  WASH  practices  are  being  ensured.  In  addition  to  the  a initiative, Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV) vaccine has been added to the ba sket of vaccines in the five high burden states.

In  order  to  accelerate  action  to  address  childhood  pneumonia, Social  Awareness  and Actions to Neutralize Pneumonia Successfully  (SAANS) initiative has  been launched on 1 th November,  2019.  The  initiative  e ncompasses Revised  Childhood  Pneumonia  Management Guideline, Skill based training and SAANS campaign for greater awareness.