Question : Diabetic Patients

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

(a) whether the number of diabetic patients have increased rapidly during the last five years;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State/ UT-wise including Rajasthan;

(c) whether the Government proposes to provide free medical treatment to the diabetic patients of rural areas and if so, the details thereof;

(d) if so, the steps being taken by the Government to prevent and treat the spread of diabetes, especially in rural areas; and

(e) whether the Government has developed any indigenous system of medicine for prevention of diabetes and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a) & (b): Yes. As per International Diabetes Federation (IDF) the prevalence of diabetes in India were 61.3 millions, 65.1 millions and 69.2 millions respectively in 2011, 2013 and 2015.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is conducting a study namely ICMR-INDIAB involving all States and Union Territories – both urban and rural population for ascertaining the exact number of Diabetic patients. 15 States have been covered so far and the prevalence of diabetes varies from 4.3% in Bihar to 13.6% in Chandigarh. The study has just been initiated in the State of Rajasthan. A Statement showing State/UT-wise prevalence of Diabetes in 15 States /UT covered under ICMR-INDIAB Study is at Annexure.

(c) & (d): While Health is a State Subject, the Government of India is implementing National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) for interventions up to District level under the National Health Mission. It has focus on awareness generation for behaviour and life-style changes, screening and early diagnosis of persons with high level of risk factors and their treatment and referral (if required) to higher facilities for appropriate management for Non- communicable Diseases including Diabetes. Under NPCDCS, diagnosis and treatment facilities for Diabetes are provided through different levels of healthcare by setting up NCD Clinics in District Hospitals and Community Health Centres (CHCs). Endocrinology is one of the major focus area for new AIIMS and many other institutions upgraded under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna. Free or subsidised treatment of Diabetes is also available at many Central and State Government Health Care Facilities. The Government of India, under NHM, also supplements the efforts of the States for free diagnostics and drug initiatives, as per the Programme Implementation Plan of the States.

For early diagnosis, a programme is initiated for “Population-based Screening of common NCDs viz. Diabetes, Hypertension and Common cancers (Oral, Breast, Cervical)” utilizing the services of the Frontline-workers and Health-workers under existing Primary Healthcare System. This process will also generate awareness of risk factors of common NCDs.

(e): The indigenous systems of medicines like Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha advocate that diabetes can be prevented by following a combination of appropriate life-style and diet. Further, the Ministry of AYUSH through its three research organizations, namely, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) and Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) has launched a programme to integrate Ayurveda, Homoeopathy and Unani with NPCDCS.