New Delhi (Health Wire): As India continues to witness surge in the cases of Non Communicable Diseases (NCD), the Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday called for all the cardiologists in India to start a “Jan Andolan” to combat various kinds of NCDs in the country.
According to the World Health Organisation, NCDs contribute to around 38 million (68 %) of all deaths globally and to about 5.87 million (60 %) of all deaths in India.
The NCD program
“There is an urgent need to expedite and accelerate the Non-Communicable Diseases interventions as the burden of these diseases is rising in the country. This can be done through mass movement with ‘Jan Bhagidari’ where the energy and knowledge of all stakeholders and partners are channelized. I urge all the cardiologists of India to come forward and be part of Jan Andolan to combat the NCDs,” Harsh Vardhan said.
He was speaking at a high level meet to review the status of National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases and strokes (NPCDCS) in the national capital.
Taking stock of the NCD programme, Harsh Vardhan stated that there was a need for the Indians to be steadfast and aggressive in combating the NCDs.
“New challenges demand we make innovative strategies and encourage new ideas, innovations and take advantage of them so that nobody is left untouched of our services,” he said.
Harsh Vardhan called for the integration of multi-sectoral coordinaton, health promotion and health system’s strengthening for NCDs.
“ Half the battle is won when everyone is made aware of the ill-effects of unhealthy lifestyle,” he said.
He has directed all the officials to mount aggressive awareness campaigns on adopting a healthy lifestyle which shall reach out to people at all levels.
The ministers directed senior health officials to ensure that all the NCD clinics and day care centres are functional in the country.
Appreciating that more than 6.53 crore people have been screened for NCDs in the country, the minister also reviewed the status of umbrella scheme of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi that includes three sub components of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi, Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund and scheme for financial assistance for poor patients suffering from specified rare diseases.
In the review meeting, the Union Health Minister directed the officials to expedite the process of formulating the National Policy for treatment of Rare Diseases in consultation with all stakeholders.
While reviewing the National Programme for Prevention and Management of Trauma and Burn Injuries (NPPMT&BI), Harsh Vardhan stated that it is important to create an enhanced capacity and infuse the knowledge of road safety related actions in public. He also suggested working closely with State Governments and developing an Action Plan for Road Safety. ENDS