The National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) programme has recently been rebranded as the National Programme for Prevention & Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD). This renaming was undertaken to include all types of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Additionally, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also renamed the Comprehensive Primary Healthcare Non-Communicable Disease (CPHC NCD IT) system as the National NCD Portal.
About NPCDCS/NP-NCD
Implemented under the National Health Mission (NHM) across India, the NPCDCS programme was launched in 2010. It is primarily focused on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, health promotion, early diagnosis, management and referral. NCD Cells are established at National, State and District levels for effective programme management. Facilities like NCD district-level clinics, District Cardiac Care Units, District Day Care Centres and NCD Community Health Centre-level clinics provide services for early diagnosis, treatment and follow-up for common NCDs.
The National Health Mission (NHM)
Launched by the government of India in 2013, NHM subsumes the National Rural Health Mission and the National Urban Health Mission. Its main programmatic components include Health System Strengthening in rural and urban areas focusing on Reproductive-Maternal- Neonatal-Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A), and Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases. By ensuring access to equitable, affordable & quality health care services, NHM aims to reduce Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), Infant Mortality rate (IMR), Total Fertility Rate (TFR), anaemia in women, mortality & morbidity from communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Non-Communicable Diseases
These are also known as chronic diseases: long lasting in nature and a result of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors. NCDs include cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. Main risk factors contributing to NCDs are tobacco use, unhealthy diet, harmful use of alcohol, physical inactivity and air pollution.
Indian Initiatives for NCDs
The Central Government is implementing the ‘Strengthening of Tertiary Care Cancer facilities’ scheme to support State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and Tertiary Care Centres (TCCC). More emphasis is being put on Oncology in new AIIMS and many upgraded institutions under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY). Additionally, Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Deendayal outlets and Jan Aushadhi stores have been set up to provide affordable medicines.
Global Actions Against NCDs
On a global scale, an ambitious commitment has been made to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by one third through prevention and treatment by 2030. The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a key leadership role in this fight against NCDs. In 2019, the WHO extended its Global action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs 2013–2020 to 2030 and called for the development of an Implementation Roadmap 2023 to 2030.