The 2023 Navaratri festivities in Gujarat were overshadowed by the news that 10 people had purportedly died of heart attacks in a span of 24 hours, with victims ranged from a 13-year-old to middle-aged individuals.
WHO report titled ‘Invisible Numbers’:
- 66% of deaths in India in 2019 were attributed to NCDs.
- 22% of individuals aged 30 or older in India would succumb to NCDs before their 70th birthday.
Common behavioural risk factors — unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, the use of tobacco and alcohol, further spurred by factors including a genetic predisposition towards conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, and a sedentary lifestyle
Economic burden
World Economic Forum estimates that India could incur a staggering cost of $4.58 trillion between 2012 and 2030 due to NCDs and mental health conditions.
ICMR's report
"India: Health of the Nation’s States"
- The proportion of deaths due to NCDs has increased from 37.9% in 1990 to 61.8% in 2016.
- NCDs are responsible for 55% of the total disability-adjusted life years (DALYs)
India’s Initiatives
- National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) under National Health Mission
- Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT)
- Jan Aushadhi stores