Lok Sabha Question No. 1121 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-03
Subject: Healthcare Facilities for Elderly
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shashi Tharoor

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1121 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03 rd  December 2021

## HEALTH CARE FACILITIES FOR ELDERLY .

## 1121.  DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

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

- a): whether the Government proposes to take steps to improve the healthcare of the elderly in India, the category, according to the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), are suffering from chronic illnesses at a high proportion and if so, the details therof;
- b) Whether the Government proposes to implement a targeted policy against each of the prevalent chronic illnesses in order to reduce their number which is expected to proliferate by 2030, if so the details thereof;
- c):  whether  the  Government  has  undertaken  any  policy  initiative  or  awareness  campaigns  against diabetes due to the expected rise of this disease in Metropolitan cities and if so, the details thereof;
- d) whether the Government has taken any steps to improve the health habits in the predominantly young population of India through awareness campaigns  or more targeted initiatives; and
- e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## (DR.BHARTI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) &  (b)  As  per  Longitudinal  Ageing  Study  in  India(LASI),  the  self  reported  prevalence  of major chronic health condition among the elderly above 60  years of age  ismore than the general population.  As per the study, the prevalence rate of Cardiovascular diseases (34.06%), Hypertension (32%),bone/joint disease (18.8%), Diabetes Mellitus (14.2%) and Chronic lung disease (8.3%) has been observed in them.

To  provide dedicated health care facilities to the elderly people (>60  years of age) at various levels of primary, secondary and tertiary health care and to address their health related problems, the 'National  Programme  for  the  Health  Care  of  Elderly  '  (NPHCE)  had  been  launched  by  the Government since 2010-11.

The  primary  and  secondary  care  services  are  provided  through  District  Hospitals  (DH), Community Health Centers (CHC), Primary Health Centers (PHC), Sub -Centers/Health & Wellness Centers  within  the  umbrella  of  National  Health  Mission,  (NHM)  in  all  36  States  &  UTs  of  the country. Under Tertiary level health care services, Regional Geriatric Centers & National Centers for Ageing in selected medical colleges/Institutes have been established to take care of specific needs of elderly, with focus on long term care.

(c)  to  (e):  Health  is  a  state  subject.  The  Department  of  Health  &  Family  Welfare,  however, provides  technical  and  financial  support  to  the  States/UTs  under  the  National  Programme  for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS), as part of National Health Mission (NHM), based on the proposals received from the States/UTs.Theprogramme focusses on  strengthening  infrastructure,  human  resource  development, health promotion & awareness generation for prevention, early diagnosis, management and referral to an appropriate level of healthcare facility for treatment of the given Non-Communicable Diseases including Diabetes.

Preventive aspect of Diabetes 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 Diabetes and for promotion of healthy lifestyle include observation of International/National Health Days and use of print, electronic and social media for continued community awareness. In addition, NPCDCS  gives  financial  support  under  NHM  for  awareness  generation  (IEC)  activities  to  be undertaken by the States/UTs as per their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs).

Furthermore, healthy eating is also promoted through FSSAI. Fit India movement is implemented by  Ministry  of  Youth  Affairs  and  Sports,  and  various  Yoga  related  activities  are  carried  out  by Ministry of AYUSH.

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