A comprehensive strategy of action plan is being put in place in respect of non-communicable diseases by the government during the 11th Plan. A sum of Rs 1660.50 crore has been allotted under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPDCS) for the plan period.

According to health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, the action plan is also covering diabetes and is being focused for early detection and appropriate management of the diseases. On a pilot basis, the NPDCS has been initiated in 10 districts in 10 states.

"Exact number of diabetics in India is not known. The estimates are based on various epidemiological studies. The Government has not conducted any nationwide survey to find out number of diabetics in the country. WHO estimates suggest that there were 32 million diabetics in India in 2004 and it is projected that India would have largest number of diabetics (80 million) in the world by 2030," the minister said in a reply.

The increase in prevalence is due to various factors including unhealthy diet, obesity and sedentary lifestyle, population ageing etc. Evidence from epidemiological studies indicates that Indians as an ethnic group have high risk of developing diabetes. The rapid economic growth, accompanied by rapid urbanization, may also contribute to the increase in diabetic epidemic.

Urbanization is associated with unhealthy nutrition and physical inactivity, leading to obesity and increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, he said. Services for diabetes like preliminary tests of urine and blood sugar and treatment are available at PHC/CHC, district hospitals /secondary, and tertiary level at government hospitals countrywide. Difficult cases are generally referred to Medical Colleges and apex institutes like AIIMS, Delhi, PGI, Chandigarh, SGPGI, Lucknow etc.

The NPDCS programme focuses on health promotion for the general population by creating awareness on lifestyle related diseases with focus on adopting healthy life styles apart from disease prevention for the high risk through targeted interventions to reduce mortality and morbidity due to diabetes and other NCDs. Under the programme, sustained IEC/BCC Campaign has been envisaged so that individual, group and community behaviour can be modified to prevent and control the chronic non-communicable diseases like diabetes etc. An amount of Rs 150 crore is earmarked under the programme for IEC/BCC activities, the minister said.