Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular illnesses, chronic respiratory diseases, and cancer cause about 70% of global fatalities. Cardiovascular illnesses cause one in every four fatalities, especially among the young. India is the world’s diabetes capital, with over 10% of persons over 40 having diabetes.
What interruptions has the pandemic caused?
- Disruption of primary health care, maternal healthcare, immunisation, health surveillance, NCD screening and management.
- Medicines, diagnostics, and technology shortage
- Re-assignment of NCD employees
- Anxiety and depression are mental health conditions caused by limited physical contact.
Main reasons
Noncommunicable diseases are caused by a mix of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioural factors. NCD risk factors include age, poor diet, lack of exercise, high blood pressure, high sugar, high cholesterol, and being overweight.
Steps taken
- Setting up the National Programme for the Prevention and Control of Cancer (NPCDCS) to raise awareness of risk factors, establish cardiac care facilities, and conduct primary health care screening.
- Integration of NPCDCS, NHM, and AYUSH
- Use of apps like mDiabetes for diabetic management, mCessation for cigarette cessation, and no more tension for mental stress management.
- India is the first country to implement the WHO Global Action Plan for NCD Prevention and Control 2013-2020.
- The National Action Plan of India intends to reduce NCD-related premature mortality by 25% by 2025.
- The SDGs 2015 aim to cut NCD mortality by a third by 2030.
Way forward
- National COVID-19 readiness and response plans must incorporate tobacco cessation.
- Telemedicine needs to be pushed.
- Policymakers must give NCDs equal weight.
- NGOs can be used for advocacy, medical care, etc.
- ASHA personnel might be rewarded for increasing NCD screening.
- Prioritise physical and mental wellness.
- Improved primary health care system