Technological and economical advancements have resulted in dramatic improvement in the health status of people in the last half a century. However, with these developments and advancement, a majority of developed and developing countries are now facing a heavy burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
In 2008, out of the 57 million global deaths, 36 million deaths, or 63%, were due to NCDs, principally cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases. It is projected that globally, NCDs will account for nearly 44 million deaths in 2020. The leading causes of NCD deaths in 2008 were: cardiovascular diseases (17 million deaths, or 48%of NCD deaths); cancers (7.6 million, or 21% of NCD deaths); respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), (4.2 million) and diabetes (1.3 million deaths).NCDs kill at a younger age in low- and middle-income countries, where 29% of NCD deaths occur among people under the age of 60, compared to 13% in high-income countries. (The global status report on non-communicable diseases 2010). In India, the estimated deaths due to NCDs in 2008 were 5.3 million (World Health Organization — NCD Country Profiles, 2011).
According to the World Diabetes Federation, about 347 million people worldwide have diabetes. Diabetes is predicted to become the seventh leading cause of death in the world by 2030. Particularly in India, about 65.1 million people had diabetes in 2013 which is projected to increase upto 109.00 million in 2035. In 2013, 1.1 million deaths in India were due to diabetes.
Gujarat’s efforts
The government of Gujarat is always working for the betterment of the present and future of citizens of the state. Looking at the current scenario and disease pattern, the government of Gujarat has decided to beat diabetes even before the year of the announcement of World Health Day 2016 theme-Beat Diabetes.
Last year on 7 April — World Health Day 2015 — Chief Minister Anandiben Patel launched the “Diabetes screening Abhiyaan” in the state. The objective of the programme is to foster early diagnosis through screening and initiating early treatment of diabetes to prevent complication due to diabetes. The programme had covered all districts including sub-center, PHC, CHC, sub-district and district hospital. To successfully run this programme, 300 medical officers and 37,500 ASHAs/health workers were sensitised. In the past one year, 52 lakh people have been screened for diabetes and 2.94 lakh suspected cases of diabetes have been identified. Those who are suspected for diabetes are being confirmed for diabetes and are given free of cost treatment in all government health institutions.
To further strengthen this initiative, under the “Gatishil Gujarat” campaign, more than 10,000 Diabetes Screening Centers have been established in the state. Anyone in the state could go for screening in any screening centre and check their blood sugar as well as blood pressure free of cost.
The government of Gujarat is committed to providing comprehensive primary care. As a part of this, on 1 October 2015, a house-to-house survey was started in the state, as part of which health workers are visiting each household, whether rural or tribal, to indentify hidden cases of various diseases in the community. One of the diseases covered in this campaign is diabetes. Under this campaign, 8 lakh people have been screened and 3.25 lakh suspected cases are indentified.
The government has allocated Rs. 6.30 crore for Oral Anti diabetic Drugs and Insulins for the treatment of diabetes. These drugs are made available in all PHCs, CHCs, sub district hospitals and district hospitals. In sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), one of the health-related targets is to reduce one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by 2030, through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. The government of Gujarat has already started to work on the way to achieve the “Sustainable Development Goals”.