India is witnessing accelerated rise in the prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like hypertension,diabetesand cancer. Out of 6. 51 crore people diagnosed at state run NCD clinics during 2018, over 40 lakh were detected with hypertension, more than 31 lakh with diabetes, whereas over 11 lakh people were suffering from both hypertension and diabetes. Besides, another around 2 lakh were diagnosed for other cardiovascular diseases and 1. 68 lakh with common cancers, the National Health Profile (NHP), 2019 released by health ministry shows.
The data shows number of people visiting these NCD clinics for screening almost doubled in one year from 3.5 crore in 2017 to 6.5 crore in 2018.
The higher number of screening and detected cases shows both increase in awareness as well as disease burden, public health experts and officials said.
While the National Program for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) was launched in 2010 in 100 districts across 21 states with the aim to prevent and control these diseases thorough awareness generation, behavior and lifestyle changes.
The program picked up pace in February 2017 with the health ministry rolling out a massive free door-to-door screening program for early detection of cancer, heart disorders and diabetes, which account for over 35% of all deaths in India.
Of the total 6.5 crore people screened, the incidence of diabetes was found to be 4. 75%, while that of hypertension was 6.2%. Besides diabetes and hypertension, the NHP also recorded 0.3% incidence of cardiovascular diseases, 0.1% stroke and 0. 26% incidence of common cancers including oral, breast and cervix.
“Decline in morbidity and mortality from communicable diseases have been accompanied by a gradual shift to, and accelerated rise in the prevalence of chronic NCDs such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancers, mental health disorders and injuries, ”the NHP report said.
Life expectancy rises to 68. 7 yearsLife expectancy in India has increased from 49 .7 years in 1970 – 75 to 68 .7 years in 2012 – 16, as per the National Health Profile, 2019. For the same period, the life expectancy for females is 70 .2 years and 67 .4 years for males. For comparison, in last year survey, the life expectancy had increased from 49 .7 years in 1970 – 75 to 68. 3 years in 2011 – 15. For the same period, the life expectancy for females is 70 years and 66 .9 years for males. So there has been an increase in life expectancy in general, and also for males. The infant mortality rate has declined (33 per 1, 000 live births in 2016), however differentials of rural (37) & urban (23) are still high.
(With inputs from IANS)
Pneumonia is top killer infection
Acute respiratory infections, often triggered by pollution, poor hygiene and bacterial infections, is the top communicable disease accounting for nearly 70% of all communicable diseases in India in 2018 with pneumonia being the biggest killer infection, according to the NHP, 2019. The NHP, 2019 recorded 41, 996, 260 cases and 3, 740 deaths from acute respiratory infections across India in 2018. In 2017, acute respiratory infections accounted for 69% of the total cases of communicable diseases and caused 23% of such deaths. There were as many as 40, 810, 524 cases and 3, 164 deaths from such infections.
(Sushmi Dey TNN)
‘1 allopathic govt doc for 11 k people ‘There is only one allopathic government doctor for every 10, 926 people in India against the WHO’s recommended doctor-population ratio of 1: 1000, stated a government report. Compiled by the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI), the National Health Profile, 2019, stated that the number of registered allopathic doctors possessing recognised medical qualifications (under the MCI Act) and registered with state medical councils for 2017 and 2018 was 43, 581 and 41, 371, respectively. “At present, an average population served by a government allopathic doctor is 10, 926, ”the report said.
PTI
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