Lok Sabha Question No. 3639 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-13
Subject: Burden of Diabetes
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri E T Mohammed Basheer

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3639 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 TH MARCH, 2026

## BURDEN OFDIABETES

## 3639. SHRI E T MOHAMMED BASHEER:

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

- (a) whether it is true that India faces an estimated economic burden of USD 11.4 trillion due to diabetes which is the second-highest globally and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether this indicates serious gaps between the economic burden and the measures for prevention and early treatment of diabetes in the country, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the concrete steps being taken by the Government to address the growing health concern and the economic burden arising out of diabetes?

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

(a) to (c) As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) report titled "India: Health of the Nation ' s States -2017", the contribution of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, to overall mortality and disease burden has grown substantially between 1990 and 2016.

As per data from the ICMR-India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study period from 2008 to 2021 conducted in the 31 States/UTs studied among the adults aged 20 years and above, the overall weighted prevalence of diabetes was 11.4%.

National Health Mission (NHM) provides technical and financial support to the States and Union Territories under NP-NCD. Diabetes is an integral part of NP-NCD. Under the programme, 770 District NCD Clinics and 6410 Community Health Centre NCD Clinics have been set up. Further, a population-based initiative for prevention, control and screening for common NCDs including diabetes has been rolled out in the country under NHM as a part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care. Under the initiative, persons more than 30 years of age are targeted for their screening through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.

The Government of India through the National Programme for Prevention and Control of NonCommunicable Diseases including diabetes has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to raise diabetes awareness and promote early care-seeking. Key initiatives include:

i. Awareness activities are carried out under Information, Education and Communication (IEC) and Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) campaigns to encourage healthy lifestyles, early diagnosis and diabetes prevention.

ii. Financial support is provided to States and Union Territories for conducting awareness generation activities under NHM as per their Programme Implementation Plans.

iii. National and international days, such as World Diabetes Day are leveraged to disseminate key messages through print, electronic and social media.

iv. Food Safety & Standards Authority of India promotes healthy eating through initiatives like ' Eat Right India ' and ' Aaj Se Thoda Kum ' .

v. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports promotes physical activity and fitness among the population through campaigns such as the ' Fit India Movement ' and ' Khelo India ' .

vi. The Ministry of AYUSH promotes wellness and preventive health through various yoga based activities at the community level.

Treatment of major NCDs including diabetes is available under Ayushman Bharat -Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana (AB PMJAY). This scheme provides for Rs. 5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitilization in the empanelled public and private hospitals. The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) and Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Pharmacies improve access to affordable cancer medicines, stents, and implants, reducing out-of-pocket expenses and supporting long-term treatment adherence. Under National Health Mission (NHM), National Free Drugs Initiative and Free Diagnostic Services ensure essential medicines and diagnostics at public health facilities, reducing out-of-pocket expenses.