New Delhi, NFAPost: The Union Health Ministry’s initiative to screen and provide standardized care to 75 million individuals with hypertension and diabetes by 2025 has made headlines. The announcement was made during a G20 co-branded event called “Accelerating the Prevention and Management of Hypertension and Diabetes,” organized by the Union Health Ministry and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The event was attended by NITI Aayog Member (Health) V K Paul, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan and Health Ministry Special Secretary S Gopalakrishnan. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and WHO SEARO Director Poonam Khetrapal Singh addressed the event virtually.
The initiative, known as the ’75/25′ initiative, aims to expand non-communicable disease (NCD) care in primary healthcare on a massive scale. It is considered the world’s largest expansion of NCDs in primary healthcare. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will be responsible for implementing the initiative.
NITI Aayog Member (Health) V K Paul emphasised the government’s commitment to addressing NCDs through resource allocation, capacity enhancement, mobilization, and multi-sectoral collaboration. The ’75/25′ initiative aligns with India’s goal of becoming a developed nation in the next 25 years and improving social indicators such as life expectancy, maternal mortality rate, and NCDs to match those of developed nations.
The Outcome Budget document of the Union Budget 2023-2024 includes hypertension and diabetes treatment as output indicators, demonstrating the government’s commitment to expanding coverage in these areas. Dr Paul highlighted the importance of fighting NCDs at the primary healthcare level and mentioned the establishment of over 150,000 Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) in India. Telemedicine and digital health services are also being implemented to effectively combat NCDs.
The roadmap for the ’75/25′ initiative includes adherence to screening protocols at the grassroots level, ensuring that at least 80% of diagnosed individuals receive treatment. Dr Paul emphasized the involvement of the private sector, as well as the academic and research sectors, in developing models and strategies to achieve the ambitious targets.
NITI Aayog Member (Health) V K Paul also pointed out the importance of prevention, including lifestyle changes, healthy eating, exercise, and wellness practices. He called for a public movement (Jan Andolan) to involve communities and make these efforts more visible. Global collaboration and sharing successful approaches were also highlighted as crucial aspects of the initiative.
Overall, the ’75/25′ initiative launched by the Union Health Ministry aims to address the screening and care needs of millions of individuals with hypertension and diabetes, making it a significant development in the healthcare sector.
