Over 5 Crore Diagnosed with Hypertension, 3 Crore with Diabetes: Govt Report

New Delhi: Over 5 crore adults in India have been diagnosed with hypertension and 3.45 crore with diabetes, according to Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav. The information was shared during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament on Tuesday.

The diagnoses were made under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), a major public health initiative that aims to strengthen infrastructure and promote early detection and treatment of NCDs. The programme was formerly known as NPCDCS and operates under the Department of Health and Family Welfare.

Launched in 2016 as part of the National Health Mission (NHM), the NP-NCD targets adults aged 30 years and above. It is a population-based approach integrated into Comprehensive Primary Health Care to screen, diagnose, manage, and refer cases of NCDs such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancers.

According to the National NCD Portal, more than 38.9 crore individuals have been screened for high blood pressure, out of which 5.13 crore were diagnosed and 4.74 crore are currently receiving treatment. For diabetes, 38.7 crore were screened, 3.45 crore were diagnosed, and 2.83 crore are under treatment.

“More than 32.8 crore individuals have been screened for oral cancer; of which 94 per cent of diagnosed cases are under treatment,” the MoS said.

“Over 17.2 crore have been screened for breast cancer, of which 41,386 have been diagnosed. And more than 10.2 crore were screened for cervical cancer, of which 90,291 have been diagnosed,” the Minister noted.

To support these efforts, the government has significantly improved healthcare infrastructure at the district and community health centre levels. Trained health workers like ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) and ANMs (Auxiliary Nurse Midwives) are leading frontline services for screening and prevention.

Additionally, under the Strengthening of Tertiary Cancer Care Centres Facilities scheme, the government is providing financial support of up to ₹120 crore for State Cancer Institutes (SCIs) and ₹45 crore for Tertiary Cancer Care Centres (TCCCs).

So far, 19 SCIs and 20 TCCCs have been approved across India. These centres play a vital role in providing advanced cancer care, diagnosis, research, and training, backed by dedicated infrastructure and expert medical professionals.