THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a): Yes. As per World Health Organisation (WHO) report, 2012, one in every three adults in
India suffers from raised blood pressure.
(b): As per the survey conducted in 7 States by the Integrated Disease Surveillance Project
(IDSP) in 2007-08 on Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors, State-wise figures (in percentage)
on cases of hypertension is as under :
Andhra Pradesh 16.6
Madhya Pradesh 24.1
Maharashtra 20.1
Mizoram 19.6
Kerala 18.0
Tamil Nadu 17.8
Uttarakhand 18.8
There is a strong correlation between changing lifestyle factors including diet and physical
inactivity and increase in hypertension in India.
(c) & (d): Government has launched the National Programme for Prevention and Control of
Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) in July, 2010 during the 11th Five
Year Plan. The Programme aims at reducing the burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) which
are major factors reducing potentially productive years of human life, resulting in huge economic
loss. The programme provides for opportunistic screening of persons above the age of 30 years for
diabetes & hypertension in various health care facilities. The programme has been launched in 100
identified Districts in 21 States.
Government of India has enacted the Anti-tobacco Law, (The Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products
Act)(COTPA 2003) with a view to discourage consumption of tobacco products by imposing various
regulatory measures. Further, under food safety regulations, tobacco products such as Gutkha and
Pan Masala containing tobacco and Nicotine have been prohibited. Government of India has also
launched the National Tobacco control Programme (NTCP) in 2007-08 which, at present, covers 42
districts in 21 States.
Awareness generation activities undertaken by the State Governments have also been supplemented
by the Ministry. In addition, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities through
Prasar Bharati under the ‘Swasth Bharat Programme’ are also being carried out for various non-
communicable diseases including Hypertension/High Blood Pressure.
