Lok Sabha Question No. 3407 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-13
Subject: Affordable Test Kits for Diabetes
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Ashok Mahadeorao Nete

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3407 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 TH MARCH, 2020

## AFFORDABLE TEST KITS FOR DIABETES

## 3407. SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to provide affordable test kits to diabetes patients;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken in this regard including dissemination of awareness regarding diabetes?

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

( a) &( b) : As informed by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 'SuChek' has been developed with financial assistance from ICMR,  which is 100% indigenous glucometer suitable for diverse climatic conditions, affordable and validated as per International standards indigenous device developed as a part of ICMR study for HbA1c testing is under validation.

( c) : Public  health  and  hospitals  is  a  State  subject.  The  Central  Government,  howe supplements  the  efforts  of  State  Governments.  The  Government  is  implementing  Nationa Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS),  the  objectives  of  which  include  awareness  generation  for  prevention  of  No -Communicable  Diseases  (NCDs),  screening,  early  detection,  management  and  referral  to appropriate level health facility. Under NPCDCS, testing, diagnosis and treatment facilities for Diabetes is provided through different levels of healthcare facilities. To tackle the ch NCDs  including  diabetes,  616  NCD  Clinics  at  District  level  and  3,827  NCD  Clinics Community  Health  Centre  level  have  been  set  up  a cross  the  country  under  NPCDCS.  The treatment is either free or highly subsidized for the poor and needy in Government hospi population  level  initiative  of  prevention,  control  and  screening  for  common  NCDs  (diab hypertension and cancer viz. ora l, breast and cervical cancer) has been rolled out in over 2 districts  across  the  country.  Under  the  initiative,  frontline  health  workers  such  as Social Health Activists and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives are being leveraged to carry out scr and to generate awareness about the risk factors of NCDs including diabetes among the ma Screening  for  common  NCDs,  including  diabetes,  is  also  an  integral  part  of  service  de under Ayushman Bharat -Health and Wellness Centres.

To leverage mobil e technology, an application called mDiabetes has been launched fo generating awareness,  promoting adherence to treatment and inculcating healthy habits a the masses. Media campaigns are undertaken for creating awareness about risk factors of N i ncluding  diabetes.  Special media campaigns are organized  every year on 14th November the occasion  of World Diabetes Day.   Screening and awareness generation activities ar undertaken every year for diabetes, hypertension & common cancers (ora l, breast and cervical) during India International Trade Fair at New Delhi.