Lok Sabha Question No. 2079 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-10
Subject: World Arthritis Day
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: C.N. Annadurai, Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Sunil Dattatray Tatkare, DNV Senthilkumar. S., Supriya Sadanand Sule, Dhanush M Kumar, Gautham Sigamani Pon, Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Gajanan Chandrakant Kirtikar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2079

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th  DECEMBER, 2021

## WORLD ARTHRITIS DAY

2079. SHRI C.N. ANNADURAI:

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE:

DR. DNV SENTHILKEMAR S.:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI DHANUSH M. KUMAR:

SHRI GAUTHAM SIGAMANI PON:

DR. SUBASH RAMRAO BHAMRE:

SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

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

- (a) whether the Government observed World Arthritis Day recently and if so, the details of  the  event  along  with  the  programmes  /  events  organised  by  the  Government  on  this occasion;
- (b) whether  there  is  shortage  of  qualified  doctors  treating  Arthritis  in  Government hospitals and if so, the corrective steps taken in this regard;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  running  any  programme  for  the  betterment  of  Arthritis patient and also conducted awareness drive about the disease, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the Government  proposes  to  include  arthritis in the National Health Programme and provide financial assistance to such needy patients keeping in view the huge expenses involved in its treatment, and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the other measures being taken by the Government for affordable treatment of arthritis and  other  bone  related  diseases,  development  of  diagnostic  and  treatment  technology  for rheumatoid arthritis and also regular training of orthopaedics doctors in the country?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a):  Preventive  aspect  of  Non-communicable  Diseases  (NCDs)  is  strengthened  under Comprehensive Primary Health Care through Ayushman Bharat Health & Wellness Centre scheme, by promotion of wellness activities and targeted communication at the community level.  Other  initiatives  for  increasing  public  awareness  about  NCDs  and  for  promotion  of healthy lifestyle includes increased physical activity and yoga and use of print, electronic and social  media  for  continued  community  awareness.  Fit  India  movement  is  implemented  by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and various Yoga related activities are carried out by Ministry of AYUSH. Various health days are observed by the Government regularly.

(b) to (e): Health and public hospitals is a state subject. The Central Government, however, supplements  the  efforts  of  State  Government.  Arthritis  is  managed  by  orthopaedicians, general physicians, rheumatologists etc. depending upon the type of arthritis.

There is no specific programme for prevention and control of arthritis. However, the National Programme for Healthcare of Elderly (NPCHE) addresses the issues of arthritis in elderly. Arthritis is diagnosed and treated at various levels in the health care facilities. The treatment in Government Hospitals is either free or highly subsidized for the poor and needy.

There  is  also  focus  on  arthritis  in  its  various  aspects  in  case  of  new  AIIMS  and  many upgraded  institutions  under  Pradhan  Mantri  Swasthya  Suraksha  Yojna  (PMSSY).  Under Pradhan  Mantri  Jan  Arogya  Yojana  (PMJAY),  health  insurance  cover  of  Rs.  5  lakhs  per family  per  year  for  secondary  or  tertiary  care  hospitalization  to  over  10.74cr.  beneficiary families identified from Socio Economic, and Caste Census 2011 (SECC 2011) database is provided. AB-PMJAY provides treatment corresponding to a total of 1,669 procedures under 26  different  specialities  for  NCDs.  The  treatment  packages  under  AB-PMJAY  are  very comprehensive  covering  various  treatment  related  aspects  such  as  drugs  and  diagnostic services. Besides,  quality  generic  medicines  are  made  available  at  affordable  prices  to  all, under Pradhan Mantri  Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in collaboration with the State  Governments.  Affordable  Medicines  and  Reliable  Implants  for  Treatment  (AMRIT) Pharmacy stores have been set up in some hospitals/institutions, with an objective to make available drugs at a substantial discount vis-à-vis the Maximum Retail Price. All orthopaedic doctors  in  Central  Government  hospitals  are  trained  regularly  for  managing  rheumatoid arthritis.