A two-day National Workshop on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) was held in Hyderabad, Telangana on January 10, 2025. The workshop was hosted by the Union Health Ministry in collaboration with the Telangana government.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders from across India to strategize on strengthening NCD prevention, screening, management, and treatment.
Key Highlights of the Workshop:
The Union Health Secretary emphasized the need for inter-sectoral collaboration, enhanced research, and innovative practices to combat the growing NCD burden.
The workshop aimed to inform the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s proposals to the 16th Finance Commission of India for bolstering healthcare systems, including NCD prevention and control.
The workshop included detailed discussions, field visits to Telangana health facilities, and knowledge-sharing sessions on major NCDs like diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease (CKD), chronic respiratory disease (CRD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), stroke, and cancer.
The importance of community-level initiatives like Fit India and Eat Right India was highlighted. Best practices from Nagaland (tobacco cessation) and Telangana (yoga and wellness) were also showcased. Programs from Assam (hypertension control), Tamil Nadu (NCD screenings), and Andhra Pradesh (cancer care) were presented as successful models for other states.
A dedicated session focused on implementation research to improve prevention, screening, and treatment strategies.
Experts from various medical institutions presented on challenges related to screening, diagnosis, and management of NCDs such as ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction, CKD, CRD, NAFLD, and Stroke.
Special attention was given to enhancing cancer care infrastructure at district and tertiary levels, along with the importance of population-based cancer registries. Strategies to address gaps in cancer care were discussed with contributions from leading experts.
Telangana and Tamil Nadu’s best practices for strengthening secondary-level NCD clinics and expanding screening programs were shared.
Background on India’s NCD Challenge
NCDs currently account for over 66% of all deaths in India, posing a significant public health challenge, particularly for individuals over 30. The Indian government has implemented the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) under the National Health Mission to address this growing burden. The program covers common NCDs and other critical conditions like COPD, CKD, NAFLD, and provides dialysis services through the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP).
This national workshop represents a crucial effort to consolidate knowledge, share best practices, and develop effective strategies to combat the rising burden of NCDs in India.
