Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced that approximately 1.50 lakh Health and Wellness Centres are being established nationwide, prioritizing the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes.
Singh, who is also a diabetologist and the Minister of State in the PMO, released data from Jammu for the “ICMR-India Diabetes (INDIAB) Study”—the world’s largest survey aimed at assessing diabetes prevalence in India.
“The government is working to set up nearly 1,50,000 Health and Wellness Centres across the country, focusing on the prevention and control of NCDs like diabetes, hypertension, and certain types of cancer,” Singh stated.
Singh also emphasized the untapped potential of Jammu and Kashmir’s Himalayan resources, stating that these could significantly contribute to India’s economic growth.
According to the INDIAB survey, diabetes affects 18.9% of people in Jammu’s 10 districts, with urban areas reporting a higher prevalence (26.5%) compared to rural regions (14.5%). These figures surpass the national average. Expressing concern over the growing diabetes cases in the region, Singh urged a collaborative effort involving the government, NGOs, communities, and individuals to curb the rise of diabetes and other NCDs.
Describing the INDIAB study as a “milestone,” Singh said its results will help gauge the health burden posed by diabetes, prediabetes, and related metabolic disorders. The study’s findings will be pivotal in shifting focus toward the prevention and control of diabetes and other NCDs in Jammu and Kashmir.
These insights are expected to assist policymakers, healthcare providers, and stakeholders in crafting targeted strategies for managing diabetes and other NCDs in both Jammu and across India, Singh said, stressing the national importance of the issue.
He also underscored the need for early diagnosis and the importance of preventing intergenerational transmission of the disease, particularly by focusing on diabetic pregnant women.
The Union minister called for concerted efforts to protect young people from diabetes, a preventable disease, and referred to them as the architects of a “Vikisit Bharat.” As reported by easternmirrornagaland.com, Singh emphasized the importance of safeguarding their health and potential to help achieve the goal of a developed India by 2047, stressing that their energy should not be wasted due to this silent threat.