By IANS,
New Delhi: India will start prioritising prevention of non-communicable diseases in its public health policy, union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said Wednesday.
“There is now a growing realisation that the scourge of non-communicable diseases is on an ever increasing spiral. The sheer challenge of reducing mortality on account of non-communicable diseases and enhancing quality of life for our people makes this a risk worth taking,” Azad said at the World Health Organisation’s partners in health conference for Southeast Asian region.
“In a developing nation like India, it is important to note that there are nearly one million new cases of cancer diagnosed everyday. The ministry wants to go ahead with the programme on non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, renal diseases, cardio-vascular disorders and hypertension,” Azad said at the inauguration of the three-day conference.
A revamped national programme for prevention and control of cancer, diabetes, cardio-vascular diseases and stroke is being implemented in 100 districts across 21 states, according to the minister.