Lok Sabha Question No. 1089 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-08
Subject: Mandatory Testing for Detection of Heart Diseases/Ailments
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Gopal Chinayya Shetty

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1089 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 th DECEMBER, 2023

## MANDATORYTESTINGFOR DETECTION OFHEART DISEASES/AILMENTS

## 1089. SHRI GOPAL CHINNAYASHETTY

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken / proposes to take steps to create awareness and conduct mandatory test for detection of heart related diseases/ ailments for citizens above 40 years of age within the period of every 6 months;
- (b) whether the Government has taken/proposes to take steps to formulate rules for conducting tests for detection of heart related diseases/ailments with the help of Central and State Government for the citizens unable to afford such tests, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has also received requests from the public representatives in this regard;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (PROF. SATYA PAL SINGH BAGHEL)

- (a) to (e): Reference dated 5th October, 2023 was received from Shri Gopal Chinnaya Shetty requesting to make the test related to heart disease compulsory for the people aged above 40 years after every six months.

As per ICMR, the research evidence so far does not support mandatory tests every six months for all adults >40 years for detecting cardiovascular diseases.

The evidence suggests that the assessment/screening of the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as measurement of blood glucose and blood pressure can be done among adults ≥ 30 years of age once in a year.

To address the health issues related to Cardiovascular Disease, the Department of Health & Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), as part of National Health Mission (NHM), based on the proposals received from the States/UTs and subject to the resource envelope. Cardiovascular Disease is an integral part of NP-NCD. The programme focuses on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, health promotion & awareness generation, early diagnosis, management and referral to an appropriate level of healthcare facility for treatment of the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), including Cardiovascular Diseases. Under NP-NCD, 744 District NCD Clinics, 219 District Cardiac Care Units, and 6237 Community Health Center NCD Clinics have been set up.

A population-based initiative for prevention, control and screening for common Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) i.e., diabetes, hypertension and common cancers has been rolled out in the country under NHM and also as a part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care. Under the initiative, persons more than 30 years of age are targeted for their screening for common NCDs. Screening of these common NCDs is an integral part of service delivery under Ayushman Arogya Mandir (erstwhile Ayushman Bharat -Health and Wellness Centres).

Preventive aspect of Cardiovascular Diseases is strengthened under Comprehensive Primary Health Care through Ayushman Arogya Mandir Scheme, by promotion of wellness activities and targeted communication at the community level. Other initiatives for increasing public awareness about Cardiovascular Diseases and for promotion of healthy lifestyle includes observation of National and International Day 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. In addition, NP-NCD gives financial support under NHM for awareness generation (IEC) activities for Cardiovascular Diseases to be undertaken by the States/UTs as per their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs).

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