Parliament Question: Preventive healthcare measures

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 464 ANSWERED ON 3RD FEBRUARY, 2026 PREVENTIVE HEALTHCARE MEASURES 464. SHRI SANJAY RAUT: Will the Minister OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) the present status of early screening programmes for diabetes, hypertension and major cancers across primary and secondary healthcare facilities; (b) the extent to which nutrition education has been institutionalised under public health initiatives; (c) the measures undertaken by the Ministry, in coordination with other Ministries, to address air pollution and ensure access to safe drinking water as preventive health interventions; and (d) whether a cost–benefit assessment has been conducted comparing expenditure on preventive healthcare with spending on tertiary care and ICU infrastructure, along with the conclusions and actions taken thereon? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) to (d): The Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India provides technical and financial support to the States and Union Territories under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD).Under NP-NCD, 770 District NCD Clinics, 6410 Community Health Center NCD Clinics, 364 District Day Care Centres (DCCC) and 233 Cardiac Care Units have been set up. Additionally, 297 DCCCs have been approved for the financial year 2025-26. A population-based initiative for prevention, control and screening for common NCDs i.e. diabetes, hypertension, oral, breast and cervical cancer has been rolled out in the country under National Health Mission (NHM) as a part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care. Under the initiative, persons more than 30 years of age are targeted for their screening.At the community, the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) does risk assessment of individuals in the age groups of thirty years and above by using Community Based Assessment Checklist (CBAC) forms and bring the individuals to Ayushman Arogya Mandir for screening of common NCDs. Till December 2025, 40.13 crore have been screened for hypertension, 39.86 crore for diabetes, 33.83 crore for oral cancer, 15.86 crore for breast cancer and 8.44 crore for cervical cancer as per the National NCD Portal.National Free Drugs Initiative and National Free Diagnostic Services under NHM ensure free essential medicines and diagnostics at public health facilities to poor and needy, reducing out-of- pocket expenses. Preventive aspect of NCDs is strengthened under Comprehensive Primary Health Care through Ayushman Arogya Mandir, by promotion of wellness activities and targeted communication at the community level. Further initiatives for increasing public awareness about NCDs and for promotion of healthy lifestyle includes observation of National & International Health Days and use of print, electronic and social media for continued community awareness. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019 to address issues related to air pollution. Ministry of Jal Shakti in partnership with States is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal to provide potable water to every rural household of the country through functional tap water connection. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India runs campaigns to promote healthy eating habits. Fit India and Khelo India movements are implemented by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and various Yoga related activities are carried out by Ministry of AYUSH. Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) provides affordable medicines for treatment of various diseases including NCDs. Under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras provide quality generic medicines at affordable prices for NCDs treatment. Treatment of major NCDs is available under Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY). This scheme provides for Rs. 5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care. Recently, PM-JAY extended health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70+, regardless of income. *****