Lok Sabha Question No. 3116 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-13
Subject: Non-Communicable Diseases
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Imran Masood

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3116 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13th DECEMBER, 2024

## NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

## 3116. SHRI IMRAN MASOOD:

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

- (a) the number of deaths caused by non-communicable disease in the country;
- (b) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to raise awareness and to reduce burden of chronic diseases in the country; and
- (c) the plan of the Government for providing affordable and good health services in the country considering that out-of-pocket expenses on healthcare are still very high?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV )

- (a) : As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) report ' India: Health of the Nation ' s States ' published in 2017, the proportion of deaths due to Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) have increased in India from 37.9% in 1990 to 61.8% in 2016.
- (b) : The Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, provides technical and financial support to the States and Union Territories under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) as part of National Health Mission (NHM). The programme focuses on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, early diagnosis, referral to an appropriate level of healthcare facility for treatment and management and health promotion and awareness generation for prevention, of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) including cervical cancer. Under NP-NCD, 770 District NCD Clinics, 372 District Day Care Centres, 233 Cardiac Care Units and 6410 Community Health Centre NCD Clinics has been set up.

Apopulation-based initiative for screening, management and prevention of common NCDs have been rolled out as a part of comprehensive Primary Health Care in the country under National Health Mission (NHM). Screening of these common NCDs is an integral part of service delivery.

In the community, Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) plays a pivotal role in spreading awareness about NCDs. ASHAs educate individuals and families on the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles, including nutritious diets, regular physical activity, and avoidance of tobacco and alcohol. ASHAs emphasize the significance of early detection through regular health checkups and screenings, enabling timely intervention through home visits, group meetings, and participation in health campaigns.

Further, initiatives for increasing public awareness about NCDs and for promotion of healthy lifestyle include observance of health days related to NCDs,use of print, electronic and social media for continued community awareness. Financial support under National Health Mission (NHM) for awareness generation activities for NCDs is provided to States/Union Territories as per their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs).

Healthy Eatingis promoted through ' Eat Right India movement ' of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). ' Fit India movement ' is implemented by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Various Yoga related activities are carried out by Ministry of AYUSH.

(c): The Central Government has taken several initiatives for supplementing the efforts of the State for providing quality and affordable healthcare services to the people and reduce the Out Of Pocket Expenditure (OOPE). Under the National Health Mission, the Government has taken many steps towards universal health coverage, by supporting the State Governments in providing accessible and affordable healthcare to people.

The National Health Mission provides support for improvement in health infrastructure, availability of adequate human resources to health facilities, to improve availability and accessibility to quality health care especially for the underserved and marginalized groups in rural areas. National Free Drugs Service initiative and Free diagnostic Service has been rolled out to ensure availability of essential drugs and diagnostic facilities and reduce out of pocket expenditure of the patients visiting public health facilities.

NCDs are 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. Treatment of major NCDs are also available under Ayushman Bharat -Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). This scheme provides health cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to approximately 55 crore beneficiaries corresponding to 12.37 crore families, constituting the bottom 40% of India's population. The Central Government has also recently approved health coverage for all senior citizens of the age 70 years and above irrespective of their income under PM JAY.

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) Scheme was launched to set up dedicated outlets known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) to provide quality generic medicines at affordable prices. As on 21st October 2024, over 14,000 PMBJKs have been opened in the country. Under PMBJP, 2047 types of medicines and 300 surgical devices have been brought under the basket of the scheme including cardiovascular, anti-cancers, anti-diabetic drugs.

Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT), an initiative launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare aims to provide affordable medicines for treatment of cancer, cardiovascular and other diseases. As on 30.11.2024 there are 218 AMRIT Pharmacies spread across29 States/Union Territories, selling more than 6,500 drugs (including cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes, stents, etc), implants, surgical disposables and other consumables at a significant discounts upto 50% on market rates.

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