New Delhi, 05 April 2022: The Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS), as part of National Health Mission (NHM), based on the proposals received from the States/UTs and subject to the resource envelope. The programme focusses on strengthening infrastructure, equipment, human resource development, health promotion & awareness generation for prevention, early diagnosis, management and referral to an appropriate level of healthcare facility for treatment of the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Under NPCDCS, 682 District NCD Clinics, 191 District Cardiac Care Units, and 5408 Community Health Center NCD Clinics has been set up.
A population-based initiative for prevention, control and screening for common NCDs i.e., diabetes, hypertension and common cancers (oral, breast and cervical) 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. Screening of these common NCDs is an integral part of service delivery under Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres. A total of 7,04,631 Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHAs), 2,19,113 Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM)/Multipurpose Workers (MPW), 28,912 staff nurses, 76,567 Community Health Officers (CHOs) and 29,648 Medical Officers (MOs) have been trained on universal screening of common NCDs
Preventive aspect of NCDs is strengthened under Comprehensive Primary Health Care through Ayushman Bharat Health Wellness Centre scheme, by promotion of wellness activities and targeted communication at the community level. Other initiatives for increasing public awareness about NCDs and for promotion of healthy lifestyle includes observation of National and International Health Day and use of print, electronic and social media for community awareness. Furthermore, healthy eating is also promoted through FSSAI. Fit India movement is implemented by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and various Yoga related activities are carried out by Ministry of AYUSH. In addition, NPCDCS gives financial support under NHM for awareness generation (IEC) activities for NCDs by the States/UTs as per their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs).
Further, the Fifteenth Finance Commission (FC-XV) recommends grant to states for Rs. 16,377 crores in Rural Sub Health Centres & Rural Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Rs. 2,095 crores in Urban PHCs to provide support for diagnostic infrastructure with the vision of providing Comprehensive Primary Health Care close to the community.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharti Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.