(GIST OF SCIENCE REPORTER) SPECIAL NCD SCREENING DRIVE

(APRIL-2025)

SPECIAL NCD SCREENING DRIVE

The Union Health Ministry has recently launched the Intensified Special NCD Screening Drive to ensure 100% screening coverage of individuals aged 30 years and above for major non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Key Highlights of the NCD Screening Campaign

What are NCDs?

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are medical conditions that are not caused by infectious agents. These are typically chronic, long-duration illnesses that progress slowly.
NCDs arise due to a combination of behavioral, genetic, physiological, and environmental factors.

Objective of the Drive

The campaign aims to screen all individuals aged 30 years and above for common and high-burden NCDs, including:

Diabetes
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Cancers of the Mouth, Breast, and Cervix

Timeline

The campaign is being conducted from February 20 to March 31, 2025.

Implementation Strategy

National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD): The initiative is part of this programme and will be implemented across Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) and other government healthcare facilities across India.
Door-to-Door Outreach: Trained frontline health workers such as ASHAs, ANMs, and others will carry out home visits to ensure maximum coverage and community participation.
Medical Supplies and Infrastructure: All participating healthcare facilities will be equipped with:

Glucometers
Blood Pressure Monitors
Essential Medicines
Real-Time Monitoring through NP-NCD Portal: Data related to screening, treatment, and follow-up will be uploaded daily to ensure accountability, transparency, and effective tracking.
Daily Progress Review: States and Union Territories (UTs) will provide daily progress reports to the Health Ministry by 6 PM, allowing for continuous review and support.
Multi-Level Coordination: Nodal officers will be appointed at every level – facility, block, district, and state – to ensure smooth implementation and problem-solving.

Goals and Expected Outcomes

100% Coverage of Target Population: Early identification of NCDs through mass screening.
Improved Linkage to Treatment and Care: Timely follow-up and standardized treatment for diagnosed individuals.
Reduced Healthcare Burden: Lower long-term healthcare costs and complications related to untreated NCDs.
Improved Health Outcomes: Enhancing overall life expectancy and quality of life for the population.

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and India

Current Status

NCDs are responsible for 41 million deaths globally every year (71% of all deaths), including 14 million premature deaths between ages 30 and 70.
If left unchecked, WHO projects that global NCD-related deaths may rise to 55 million annually by 2030.

Situation in India

Nearly 5.8 million Indians die annually due to NCDs such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, stroke, and chronic respiratory diseases.
This means that 1 in 4 Indians is at risk of dying from an NCD before reaching 70 years of age.
NCDs now account for around 60% of total deaths in India, making them the leading cause of mortality.

Shifting Disease Burden

According to the “India: Health of the Nation’s States” report (MoHFW, 2016):

Deaths due to NCDs rose from 37% in 1990 to 61% in 2016.
Their share in the overall Disease Burden (DALYs) increased from 30% in 1990 to 55% in 2016.
This reflects a clear epidemiological transition from communicable to non-communicable diseases in India.