Parliament Question: Rising burden of non-communicable diseases in Punjab

GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE RAJYASABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 1207 TO BE ANSWEREDON10TH FEBRUARY, 2026 RISING BURDEN OFNON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES IN PUNJAB 1207. DR.VIKRAMJITSINGHSAHNEY: Willthe Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate: (a) whether recent studies including NFHS-5 and ICMR-NCD reports indicate a highprevalence of hypertension, diabetes,obesity, respiratory diseases andcancer inPunjab; (b) whether Punjabfiguresare above the nationalaverage for keyNCD indicators; (c)the majorfactorscontributing tothistrend; (d) the steps taken under National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer,Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases andStroke(NPCDCS)tostrengthen screening,prevention andtreatment inPunjab;and (e)the funds allocatedand utilised for Punjabduring the last three yearsandoutcomesachieved? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) and (b) State Government of Punjab has informed that as per available data from National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) and cancer registries maintained by Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR) and Population-Based Cancer Registries, Punjab shows a comparatively high burden of certain non-communicable diseases. NFHS-5 indicates that prevalence of hypertension among both men and women in Punjab is higher than the national average, while diabetes prevalence is broadly comparable to national levels with marginal variation across sexes. Cancer incidence data from ICMR2021 and Population-Based Cancer Registries for selected districts in the State reflect age-adjusted incidence rates that are comparableto,andinsome urbanareashigherthan,nationalaverages. (c) Unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles and environmental factors are key contributors to the rising prevalence of Non-communicable diseases. The increasing consumption of processed foods, reduced physical activity, and lifestyle changes have further intensified this growing incidence,affecting bothurbanandrural populations.(d) The Department of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to States and Union Territories across the country including Punjab under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) as part of the National Health Mission (NHM). The programme focuses on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, screening, early diagnosis, referral, treatment, and health promotion for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Under NP-NCD, 770 District NCD Clinics, 364 District Day Care Cancer Centres (DCCC) including Punjab, and 6,410 NCD clinics at Community HealthCentreshave beenset upacross the country. The Central Government implements Strengthening of Tertiary Care Cancer Facilities Scheme under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non Communicable Diseases (NP- NCD), a centrally sponsored scheme, 19 State Cancer Institutes (SCIs) and 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCCs) have been approved. In the state of Punjab, Government Medical College, Amritsar has been approved as a SCI and Civil Hospital, Fazilka has been approved as TCCC. Further 6 DCCCs have been approved for the financial year 2025-26 to ensure cancer care accessibility at district hospital level. A population-based initiative for the prevention, control and screening of common non- communicable diseases (NCDs) i.e. diabetes, hypertension, oral, breast and cervical cancer has been rolled out across the country. Under the initiative, persons over30 years of age are targeted for theirscreening for the common NCDs. Fit India movement is implemented by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and various Yoga related activities are carried out by Ministry of AYUSH. In addition, NP-NCD gives financial support under NHM for awareness generation (IEC) activities for NCDs to be undertaken by the States/UTs aspertheirProgrammeImplementation Plans(PIPs)includingPunjab. (e) Under NHM, funds to the tune of Rs. 1937.16 cr has been released to the State of Punjab from the FY 2022-23 to FY 2025-26 (up to 05.02.2026). The details of year wise release is as below: (Rs. In crore) FinancialYear CentralShareRelease 2022-23 448.89 2023-24 91.49 2024-25 878.21 2025-26 518.57