Shimla, November 14: On World Diabetes Day, India unites under the theme ‘Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps’ to address the rising diabetes epidemic in the country.
With over 10 crore Indians now living with this chronic disease, the government is stepping up its efforts, urging citizens across the nation—from bustling metros to the quiet hills of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand—to adopt healthier lifestyles.
Across the country, diabetes cases have surged due to lifestyle shifts, prompting the Ministry of Health to launch a nationwide awareness and prevention campaign.
This campaign focuses on prevention, early diagnosis, and equitable access to care, with a major emphasis on raising awareness about diabetes risk factors, symptoms, and the benefits of early intervention.
Under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), over 7,000 NCD clinics have been established in India, including 743 at district levels and over 6,200 at community health centers.
These centers provide screening and treatment for diabetes, hypertension, and other NCDs, targeting individuals over 30.
Through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and district clinics, Himachal and Uttarakhand are strengthening their local healthcare reach, especially in remote areas.
The government’s Fit India Movement, led by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, is inspiring people across India to incorporate 30 minutes of exercise daily.
Yoga programs led by the Ministry of AYUSH and healthy eating guidelines from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) are further supporting these lifestyle changes.
The campaign encourages balanced diets, low in sugar and saturated fats, along with regular physical activity, to lower diabetes risk.
For those already diagnosed, the government’s NHM Free Drugs Service Initiative is making essential medicines, including insulin, accessible to vulnerable populations.
Through the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), affordable generic medicines are available at over 9,000 outlets, bringing critical diabetes treatments within reach.
Diabetes is a condition caused by the body’s inability to produce or effectively use insulin. It can lead to severe health complications like heart disease, kidney failure, and vision loss if left untreated.
The message from health experts is clear: lifestyle changes and early interventions are essential.
"The goal is to not only manage diabetes but to prevent it through community awareness and accessible healthcare," said doctors at IGMC Shimla.
With the current campaign, the government aims to reduce diabetes prevalence across India, including in Himachal and Uttarakhand.
This unified call to action must start from everyone to combat the diabetes epidemic.
