Lok Sabha Question No. 5683 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: Increasing Cases of Stone Diseases
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Geniben Nagaji Thakor

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5683 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH APRIL, 2025

## INCREASING CASES OFSTONE DISEASES

## †5683. SMT. GENIBEN NAGAJI THAKOR:

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

(a) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to control the increasing prevalence of stone diseases;

- (b) whether the Government is conducting any research to find out the factors contributing to the increased occurrence of the said disease; and

(c) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to prevent the said disease?

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

(a) to (c) 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 funds are being provided to the States under NCD Flexi-Pool through State Programme Implementation Plan (PIPs) of respective States/UTs, with the Centre to State share in ratio of 60:40 (except for NE and Hilly States, where the share is 90:10).Under the programme, 770 District NCD Clinics, 372 District Day Care Centres and 6410 NCD clinics at Community Health Centre have been set up across the country.

The Stones (gall bladder stones and kidney/ureter stones) are linked to lifestyle factors, including diet (high salt, high sugar high oxalate, high fats and transfat), obesity, rapid weight loss, and lack of physical activity, as well as the rising rates of diabetes, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, or some blood disorders like Sickle Cell anaemia or sometimes due to some drugs or hormone replacement therapy.

Preventive aspect of Non-Communicable Diseases is strengthened under Comprehensive Primary Health Care through Ayushman Aarogya Mandir Scheme by promotion of wellness activities and targeted communication at the community level. Other initiatives for increasing public awareness and promotion of healthy lifestyle includes observation of National and International Days and use of print, electronic and social media for continued community awareness. Furthermore, healthy eating is also promoted through Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Fit India movement is implemented by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and various Yoga related activities are being carried out by Ministry of AYUSH.

The government recognizes the importance of research to prevent kidney diseases in India.Indian Council of Medical Research is funding following projects related to kidney/gall bladder stones :-

-  The role of trace elements in renal stone disease.
-  Functional interplay of different mutations/polymorphs of CLDN14, MGP and SPP1 genes in the development of kidney stone disease.
-  Two-phase study evaluating the risk factors for Kidney Stone Disease (KSD) and effect of Probiotic use on KSD by change in gut microbiota.
-  Indian asymptomatic gallstones: Natural Course and their predictorsIndiastone study.

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