Health Sector – UHC, National Health Policy, Family Planning, Health Insurance, etc.

Growing epidemic

Explained | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Mains level: Biotechnology; Health sector; Diseases and it’s policies in News;

Why in the News?

Global diabetes cases surged from 200 million in 1990 to over 800 million in 2022, with adult prevalence doubling from 7% to 14%, according to The Lancet report.

What are the WHO’s targets for diabetes diagnosis and management by 2030?

  • The World Health Organization (WHO) aims for 80% of people with diabetes to be diagnosed.
  • The target is for 80% of diagnosed individuals to achieve good glycemic control, which is crucial for preventing complications associated with diabetes.

What is the current state of diabetes prevalence in India?

  • As of 2022, India has the highest number of people with diabetes globally, totalling 212 million, significantly up from around 200 million in 1990.
  • The prevalence of diabetes among adults in India rose from 7% in 1990 to 14% in 2022.
  • India also leads in the number of untreated diabetes cases, with 133 million individuals over the age of 30 remaining undiagnosed, compared to 78 million in China.
  • The increase is partly attributed to improved data collection methods that include individuals with elevated fasting plasma glucose and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), capturing a broader population affected by diabetes.

What strategies can India implement to achieve these targets?

  • Targeted Screening and Lifestyle Interventions: India can adopt Finland’s approach of identifying high-risk individuals through targeted screening and offering lifestyle interventions, including dietary changes and exercise, to prevent diabetes.
  • Enhance Public Awareness Campaigns: Community-based implementation and awareness programs align with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by promoting healthy lifestyles, preventing diabetes, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare for all, especially vulnerable populations.
  • Improve Access to Healthcare Services: Ensure that diagnostic facilities for blood glucose testing are widely available and affordable. Strengthen primary healthcare services to facilitate easier access to diabetes care and management.

Steps taken by the government:

  • National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke (NPCDCS): Launched to promote awareness, early diagnosis, and management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including diabetes. This program aims to reduce risk factors through lifestyle modifications and improve access to healthcare services.
  • Collaboration with WHO and Other Organizations: India collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international bodies to align its diabetes management strategies with global best practices and targets, including those set for 2030.

Way forward: 

  • Strengthen Preventive Healthcare: Focus on early detection through widespread screening, robust public awareness campaigns, and targeted interventions for high-risk groups, emphasizing healthy lifestyle promotion.
  • Enhance Integrated Care Systems: Scale up access to affordable diabetes care, strengthen primary healthcare services, and integrate technology for monitoring and management to achieve WHO’s glycemic control targets by 2030.

Mains PYQ:

Q  Stem cell therapy is gaining popularity in India to treat a wide variety of medical conditions including leukaemia, Thalassemia, damaged cornea and several burns. Describe briefly what stem cell therapy is and what advantages it has over other treatments. (UPSC IAS/2017)

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