(a) whether there is rise in the cases of arthritis among children in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise/ UT-wise during the last three years and
the current year, alongwith the reasons therefor;
(c) the facilities being made available in the hospitals for treatment of arthritis at
affordable cost; and
(d) the measures taken/proposed by the Government to tackle the problem?
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE(SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a) & (b): The exact number of cases of arthritis in India is not known as the data
on arthritis is not maintained centrally. There are no time trend studies available in
the Ministry to confirm or refute if there is rising trend in the prevalence or incidence
of arthritis in India.
(c) & (d) Arthritis cases are diagnosed and treated in hospitals in the health care
delivery system at district hospitals and Community Health Centres (CHCs) in addition
to Medical Colleges and apex institutions like All India Institute of Medical Sciences
(AIIMS), Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh etc.
The arthritis cases are seen by Physician, orthopaedic Surgeon, and Paediatrician etc.
depending on the type of arthritis. Treatment in the Government hospitals is ether free
or subsidised.