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The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today approved the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) for implementation of its various components during the remaining period of 11th Five year plan (i.e. 2010-11 & 2011-12) at an estimated outlay of Rs. 1230.90 crore (Rs.499.38 crore for interventions on diabetes and cardiovascular diseases & stroke and Rs.731.52 crore for cancer control) on a cost sharing basis between the Centre and the States at the rate of 80:20.

It also approved the inter-usability of funds from one component to another within the same group of diseases, limited to a ceiling of 10%, in order to impart operational flexibility in implementation of these programs. Transfer of funds from one component to the other beyond this limit would be decided by the Empowered Programme Committee (EPC) and Mission Steering Group (MSG). Approval has also been accorded for empowering the MSG and EPC setup under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to approve financial norms in respect of all components of the Programme.

The programme will be implemented in 20,000 Sub-Centres and 700 Community Health Centres (CHCs) in 100 Districts across 15 States/UTs 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, about 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.

Background:

The country is experiencing a rapid health transition with a rising burden of Non-Communicable Diseases(NCDs) which are emerging as the leading cause of death in India accounting for over 42% of all deaths with considerable loss in potentially productive years (aged 35-64 years) of life. According to a WHO report (2002), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) will be the largest cause of death and disability in India by 2020. It is estimated that the overall prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, Ischemic Heart Diseases (IHD) and Stroke is 62.47, 159.46, 37.00 and 1.54 respectively per 1000 population of India. There are an estimated 25 Lakh cancer cases in India. The cost implications of NCDs to society are enormous and run into thousands of crore of rupees that include direct costs to people with illness, their families and indirect costs to society, due to reduced productivity.

Major risk factors for these NCDs are raised blood pressure, cholesterol, tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, and obesity which are modifiable. Hence a majority of cancers and CVDs can be prevented and treated if diagnosed at an early stage. Health promotion and prevention of chronic NCDs are yet to be adequately addressed in the country’s health system. Presently, Clinical services, too, are not adequately equipped to provide the required level of care for these diseases in primary and secondary health-care settings. Therefore, the appropriate strategies have been devised to be implemented under NPCDCS to ensure that the NCDs can be prevented and managed in an effective manner.

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(Release ID :63087)