Lok Sabha Question No. 2876 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: Rising Cases of Asthma
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Vijay Kumar Dubey

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2876 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  MARCH, 2023

## RISING CASES OF ASTHMA

## 2876. SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY:

Will the MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  noted  that  there  is  an  alarming  increase  in  the  number  of patients suffering from asthma and other acute respiratory diseases in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (c)  the  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to  provide  adequate  medical treatment to such patients and also generate public awareness in this regard?

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

(a) to (c) As per the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990-2016, by ICMR, it has been noted that the number of asthma cases in India increased from 22·9 million in 1990 to 37·9 million in 2016. (The study report can be accessed at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30409-1) .

The  Department  of  Health  &  Family  Welfare,  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 in Program Implementation Plans (PIPs) from the States/UTs and subject to the resource envelope. The programme focuses 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  Chronic  Obstructive  Pulmonary  Diseases  (COPD)  and Asthma.

Under NPCDCS, 708 NCD Clinics at District level and 5671 NCD Clinics at Community Health Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) and Asthma.

Centre  level  have  been  set  up  to  ensure  the  treatment  of  common  NCDs  including  Chronic Patients  with  Acute  Respiratory  Infections  (ARI),  Chronic  Obstructive  Pulmonary  Diseases (COPD)  and  Asthma  are  diagnosed  and  treated  at  various  tertiary  health  care  facilities  such  as Medical Colleges, Central Institutes like AIIMS, Central Government hospitals, and private sector hospitals  through  PMJAY  and  State-based  schemes.  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 60 Cr. beneficiaries identified from Socio Economic and Caste Census 2011 (SECC 2011) database is provided. Under  Free  Drugs  Service  Initiative  of  NHM,  financial  support  is  provided  to  States/UTs  for provision of free essential medicines. Furthermore, quality generic medicines are made available at affordable  prices  to  all,  under  Pradhan  Mantri  Bhartiya  Janaushadhi  Pariyojana  in  collaboration with the State Governments. Preventive  aspect  of  NCDs  including  Chronic  Obstructive  Pulmonary  Diseases  (COPD)  and Asthma is being strengthened under Comprehensive Primary Health Care under Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centers, by promotion of wellness activities and targeted communication at the community level. NPCDCS gives financial support under NHM for awareness generation (IEC)

activities  to  be  taken  up  by  the  States/UTs  as  per  their  Programme  Implementation Plans (PIPs), subject to resource envelope.

National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has also prepared and shared Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials on Air Pollution as a risk factor for ARI, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) and Asthma, and shared it with all the States/UTs.

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