The Union health ministry will expand the reach of the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardio-vascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) by setting up Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) cells in 21 states and 100 district NCD cells across the country.


Besides, 100 district hospitals will be strengthened by establishing NCD clinic, district cancer facility and cardiac care unit, 65 tertiary cancer centres will be developed and opportunistic screening of common non-communicable diseases up to sub-centre level in the 100 districts will also be established by the ministry by March 2012, ministry sources said.


The NPCDCS programme has been approved by the central government on July 8, 2010 and an outlay of Rs. 1230.90 crore has been earmarked for the programme. The NPCDCS has been initiated in 30 districts across 21 states during the year 2010-11 and another 70 district will be covered during 2011-12.


The major objectives of the new programme are to prevent and control of common Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) which includes cancer, through behaviour and life style changes, provide early diagnosis and management of common NCDs, build capacity at various levels of health care for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of common NCDs, train human resource with the public health set up to cope with the increasing burden of NCDs and establish and develop capacity for palliative & rehabilitative care.


The programme will be implemented in sub-centres and Community Health Centres (CHCs) across 21 states by promoting healthy lifestyle through massive health education and mass media efforts at country level, opportunistic screening of persons above the age of 30 years, establishment of Non Communicable Disease (NCD) clinics at CHC and district level, development of trained manpower and strengthening of tertiary level health facilities.


It is expected to screen over seven crore adult population (30 years & above) for diabetes and hypertension, early diagnosis of NCDs and treatment at early stages. To fill the gap in the health delivery system, more than 32,000 health personnel would be trained at various levels to provide opportunistic and targeted screening, diagnosis and management of NCDs. With the successful implementation of the programme, it is expected to achieve behaviour change in the community to adopt healthy life styles including dietary patterns, enhanced physical activity and reduced intake of tobacco and alcohol resulting in overall reduction in the risk factors of common NCDs in the community.