More Than 61 Million Indians Suffer From Diabetes: Azad

The International Diabetes Federation estimates that 61.3 million persons aged 20 years and above in India had diabetes in 2011, Union Health Minister Ghulab Nabi Azad said. According to World Health Organization (WHO), factors responsible for the increase in non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, are unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, harmful use of alcohol, obesity and tobacco use, the minister said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

The minister said the government launched a national program for prevention of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke during the 11th five-year plan in 100 districts with the aim of prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, through awareness generation, behavior and life-style changes.

The program also provides for screening of persons above 30 years of age for diabetes and hypertension in various health care facilities like district hospitals, community health centers and sub-centers and their referral to higher facilities for appropriate management of these diseases, the minister said.

Source-IANS