Question : RISE IN CASES OF FATAL DISEASES

(a) the details of the schemes/programmes to tackle cancer, sugar, kidney and heart related diseases in the country;

(b) whether despite these schemes/programmes, cases of such fatal diseases are increasing in the country;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the Government proposes to pursue any new strategies to tackle such diseases; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a)to(e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 140 FOR 27TH NOVEMBER, 2009

(a) The National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) is operational since 1975. The NCCP has a comprehensive cancer control strategy with emphasis on awareness, prevention, early detection and treatment. Under the existing NCCP, Government of India is supplementing the efforts of the State Governments by providing financial assistance of Rs.3 crore for up-gradation/strengthening of existing Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs) and Rs.5 crore is provided for recognizing new RCCs in the State. Financial assistance upto Rs.3 crore is provided for setting up Radiotherapy Units in Government Medical Colleges /Hospitals in the States. There is also a component under NCCP for providing financial assistance upto Rs.90 lakh for implementation of District Cancer Control Programme (DCCP) for prevention and control of cancer in the States

The pilot phase of National Programme for Prevention and Control of Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPDCS) has been launched in January, 2008, to prevent and control chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke. The NPDCS has been initiated in 10 districts in 10 States.

(b) As per available literature on various non-communicable diseases like cancer, diabetes, coronary heart diseases, there is an increase in incidence in the country.

According to the population based cancer registries under the National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), there are about nine lakh new cancer cases occurring every year in the country. According to WHO estimates, there were 32 million diabetics in India in the year 2000 and these are likely to increase to 80 million by the year 2030. As per the study on ‘Assessment of Burden on Non-communicable Disease’ carried out by ICMR, the number of cases of Ischemic heart disease (IHD) was estimated to have increased from 18.6 million in 1998 to 22.37 million in 2004.  

(c) Urbanisation and longevity has been associated with increase in NCDs. Unhealthy lifestyle is major reason for increase in NCDs.  Four major risk factors which are directly or indirectly associated with the causation of chronic non-communicable disease are as follows:-

(i) Tobacco use; smoking; chewing of tobacco products;

(ii) Alcohol use;

(iii) Physical inactivity; and

(iv) Unhealthy diet.

(d)&(e): An outlay of Rs.2400 crore and Rs.1660.50 crore has been allotted for the NCCP and NPDCS respectively in the 11th Five Year Plan. The existing programmes are using two pronged strategy viz. (i) prevention through behaviour change and (ii) early detection and treatment.