**Executive Summary**
On July 19, 2026, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh called for a nationwide "Jan Andolan" (People's Movement) against cancer, diabetes, and obesity during the launch of Dr. Akhilesh Gupta's memoir. The address emphasized transitioning healthcare from hospital-centric care to a mass movement focused on early detection, scientific communication, and evidence-based treatment. The initiative aims to combat health misinformation and foster a healthier population to achieve the "Viksit Bharat @2047" vision.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Call for a National Health Movement**
* Urgent need for a nationwide public movement against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cancer, diabetes, and fatty liver disease.
* Shift focus from hospital-based treatment to community-level early detection and right medical advice.
* Preventive healthcare must become a "national habit" involving balanced nutrition, physical activity, and regular check-ups.
**Combating Health Misinformation**
* Scientific communication must replace widespread misinformation and pseudoscientific claims regarding diet and disease management.
* Unverified advice is cited as a major cause for delayed treatment and avoidance of qualified professionals.
* Citizens are encouraged to rely strictly on evidence-based medical advice for health decisions.
**Innovation and Indigenous Solutions**
* Emphasis on "Indian data for Indian solutions" through initiatives like the Genome India Programme.
* Strengthening of indigenous biotechnology and biomedical research to make cutting-edge treatments affordable and accessible.
* Promotion of India as a global destination for affordable healthcare innovation and biomanufacturing.
**Strategic Collaborations**
* Requirement for stronger public-private partnerships between government, academia, research institutions, and industry.
* Translation of scientific discoveries into affordable healthcare solutions to improve the quality of life for ordinary citizens.
* Expansion of quality healthcare access through existing initiatives like Ayushman Bharat.
**Impact Analysis**
**Citizens**
**Impact**
Increased responsibility for personal health management and a shift toward preventive lifestyles.
**Action Required**
Adopt healthy habits, undergo regular health screenings, and rely only on evidence-based medical information.
**Medical Professionals and Scientists**
**Impact**
Greater emphasis on scientific communication and the development of affordable, indigenous medical solutions.
**Action Required**
Focus on early intervention, counter health misinformation, and collaborate on translating research into clinical practice.
**Research Institutions and Industry**
**Impact**
Need for increased synergy to develop world-class healthcare solutions suited to Indian conditions.
**Action Required**
Engage in public-private partnerships and utilize indigenous data for biotechnology innovations.
**Government and Administrators**
**Impact**
Shared responsibility for national health beyond providing medical infrastructure.
**Action Required**
Strengthen healthcare infrastructure, promote scientific awareness, and expand access through initiatives like Ayushman Bharat.
Key Entities Referenced
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology who called for a nationwide mass public movement against non-communicable diseases.
Jan Andolan (People's Movement): A proposed nationwide public campaign focused on early detection, scientific awareness, and evidence-based healthcare to combat lifestyle diseases like cancer and diabetes.
Viksit Bharat @2047: The strategic vision for a developed India, which the Minister stated is dependent on achieving a healthy population through preventive healthcare.
Ayushman Bharat: A national healthcare initiative cited for expanding access to quality healthcare and strengthening indigenous medical research infrastructure.
Genome India Programme: A scientific initiative highlighted for developing indigenous data and biotechnology innovations for affordable advanced therapies.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Dr Jitendra Singh Calls for Mass Public
Movement Against Cancer, Diabetes and
Obesity; Stresses Early Detection and Scientific
Awareness
Union Minister Urges early detection, right medical advice
and evidence-based healthcare; says healthy citizens are
essential for Viksit Bharat
Evidence-Based Health awareness Must Replace
Misinformation in the Fight Against Lifestyle Diseases: Dr
Jitendra Singh
प्रव तथ: 19 JUL 2026 3:55PM by PIB Delhi
Calling for a nationwide People's Movement (Jan Andolan) against cancer, diabetes, obesity and other
lifestyle diseases, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth
Sciences; Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of
Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh today said that India's response to
the growing burden of Cancer, Diabetes, obesity and other non-communicable diseases must move beyond
hospitals and become a mass public movement centred on early detection, right medical advice and
evidence-based healthcare.
The Minister said the country today faces not merely a lack of awareness but also the challenge of
widespread health misinformation, making scientific communication and evidence-based health
communication more important than ever for realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Dr. Jitendra Singh was addressing the launch of "UNBROKEN: My Battle with Cancer and the Will to
Lead", authored by Cancer survivor, eminent Scientist and former Senior Adviser, Department of Science
& Technology, Dr. Akhilesh Gupta. The event was attended by eminent medical professionals, academic
and scientific fraternity, senior government officials, researchers and members of the scientific
community, who came together to celebrate Dr. Gupta's remarkable journey of resilience after overcoming
cancer.
Describing the book as much more than a personal memoir, Dr. Jitendra Singh said it chronicles an
extraordinary journey of courage, resilience, integrity and unwavering faith in science. Having read the
book in its entirety, he said it offers important lessons not only for patients battling serious illnesses but
also for doctors, scientists, administrators and young professionals, demonstrating how determination and
the right medical guidance can transform adversity into inspiration.Referring to India's rapidly changing disease profile, Dr. Jitendra Singh said non-communicable diseases
have emerged as one of the country's biggest public health challenges. Cancer, diabetes, obesity, fatty liver
disease and other metabolic disorders are rising across all regions and are increasingly affecting younger
populations. He said several cancers are now curable or manageable if diagnosed early, making timely
screening and prompt medical intervention the most effective tools for reducing mortality and improving
treatment outcomes.
Expressing concern over the growing prevalence of obesity and unhealthy lifestyles, the Minister said
preventive healthcare must become a national habit rather than an individual choice. He stressed that
balanced nutrition, regular physical activity and periodic health check-ups should form an integral part of
daily life if India is to curb the growing burden of lifestyle diseases.
Dr. Jitendra Singh cautioned that the country today not only requires greater dissemination of health
information but also a check on the alarming spread of misinformation relating to nutrition, diet and
disease management. He said unverified advice and pseudoscientific claims often delay proper treatment
and discourage patients from approaching qualified healthcare professionals in time. He called for greater
scientific awareness so that citizens rely on evidence-based medical advice while making decisions
relating to their health.
Highlighting the Government's efforts to strengthen healthcare through science and innovation, Dr.
Jitendra Singh said India is increasingly developing Indian data for Indian solutions. Referring to the
Genome India Programme, indigenous biotechnology innovations and affordable advanced therapies for
diseases including cancer, he said the country's scientific ecosystem is steadily delivering world-class
healthcare solutions suited to Indian conditions while making cutting-edge treatment more affordable and
accessible.
The Minister said the Government has simultaneously expanded access to quality healthcare through
initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat while strengthening indigenous biomedical research, biotechnology
innovation and healthcare infrastructure. He noted that these efforts are helping India emerge as an
important global destination for affordable healthcare innovation and biomanufacturing.
Calling for stronger collaboration between government, research institutions, academia, clinicians and
industry, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that translating scientific discoveries into affordable healthcare
solutions requires greater public-private partnership. He said scientific research must ultimately improve
the quality of life of ordinary citizens and contribute to a healthier society.
Referring once again to Dr. Akhilesh Gupta's journey, the Minister said the book demonstrates that
resilience, self-belief, timely medical care and trust in science can overcome even the most formidable
health challenges. He added that the author's experience also reinforces the importance of seeking
treatment from qualified medical experts without losing valuable time to unscientific practices.
Concluding his address, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 cannot be realized
without a healthy population. He called upon every citizen to become an active participant in a nationwide
People's Movement against cancer, diabetes, obesity and lifestyle diseases by adopting healthy lifestyles,
encouraging regular health screening, promoting scientific awareness and helping eliminate health
misinformation. Preventing disease, he said, is not the responsibility of governments or doctors alone but a
shared national responsibility requiring collective participation from every section of society.*****
NKR/AK
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