50 million diabetes cases projected this year: Azad
By IANSTuesday, April 20, 2010
NEW DELHI - India is projected to have 50.7 million diabetes patients in 2010, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said Tuesday and informed that the centre has lined up a Rs.500 crore plan to control non-communicable diseases like diabetes and stroke.
“As per a report published by International Diabetes Federation, cases of diabetes (20-79 years) in the year 2010 in India are projected to be around 50.7 million, the highest in the list of countries that were part of the study,” Azad informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.
He said the health ministry has formulated a draft National Programme for Prevention and Control of Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke (NPDCS) in consultation with all stake holders including states “at an estimated cost of Rs.499.38 crore, which has been considered and approved by the Expenditure Financial Committee on 8th March, 2010”.
A major objective of the proposed NPDCS is prevention and control of non-communicable diseases including diabetes through behaviour and lifestyle changes using mass media, interpersonal communication and community-based activities.
