Parliament Question: Burden of Diabetes

GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3639 TO BE ANSWEREDON13TH MARCH, 2026 BURDEN OFDIABETES 3639. SHRIE TMOHAMMED BASHEER: Willthe Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate: (a) whether it is true that India faces an estimated economic burden of USD 11.4 trillion due to diabeteswhich isthe second-highest globallyandif so, the detailsthereof; (b) whether this indicates serious gaps between the economic burden and the measures for preventionandearlytreatment of diabetesinthe country, if so, the detailsthereof; and (c) the concrete steps being taken by the Government to address the growing health concern and the economicburdenarising out of diabetes? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (SHRIPRATAPRAOJADHAV) (a) to (c) As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) report titled "India: Health of the Nation’s States – 2017", the contribution of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), including diabetes,tooverallmortality anddisease burdenhasgrown substantially between1990and2016. As per data from the ICMR-India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study period from 2008 to 2021 conducted in the 31 States/UTs studied among the adults aged 20 years and above, the overall weightedprevalenceof diabetes was 11.4%. National Health Mission (NHM) providestechnicaland financialsupport tothe StatesandUnion Territories under NP-NCD. Diabetes is an integral part of NP-NCD. Under the programme, 770 District NCDClinicsand6410CommunityHealthCentre NCDClinicshavebeensetup.Further, a population-based initiative for prevention, control and screening for common NCDs including diabetes has been rolled out in the country under NHM as a part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care. Under the initiative, persons more than 30 years of age are targeted for their screening through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.The Government of India through the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non- Communicable Diseases including diabetes has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to raise diabetesawareness andpromote early care-seeking.Key initiativesinclude: i. Awareness activities are carried out under Information, Education and Communication (IEC) and Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) campaigns to encourage healthy lifestyles, early diagnosisanddiabetesprevention. ii. Financial support is providedto States and UnionTerritories for conducting awareness generationactivities underNHM aspertheirProgrammeImplementationPlans. iii.National andinternational days, such asWorldDiabetesDay are leveragedtodisseminate key messages through print,electronic andsocial media. iv. Food Safety & Standards Authority of India promotes healthy eating through initiatives like ‘Eat Right India’ and‘Aaj SeThoda Kum’. v. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports promotes physical activity and fitness among the populationthrough campaignssuch asthe ‘Fit India Movement’ and‘Khelo India’. vi.The Ministry of AYUSH promoteswellness andpreventive healththrough variousyoga based activitiesat the communitylevel. Treatment of major NCDs including diabetes is available under Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana (AB PMJAY). This scheme provides for Rs. 5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitilization in the empanelled public and private hospitals. The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) and Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Pharmacies improve access to affordable cancer medicines, stents, and implants, reducing out-of-pocket expenses and supporting long-term treatment adherence. Under National Health Mission (NHM), National Free Drugs Initiative and Free Diagnostic Services ensure essential medicines and diagnostics at public healthfacilities, reducingout-of-pocket expenses.