[Answered] Diabetes is a growing public health concern globally and in India. Critically evaluate India’s preparedness to meet the 2030 WHO targets for diabetes diagnosis and management.” (250 words)

Diabetes has emerged as a critical public health challenge globally, and India now leads in both prevalence and undiagnosed cases, with 212 million people living with the condition and 133 million over the age of 30 remaining untreated. The rise in diabetes cases in India, driven by lifestyle changes, dietary patterns, and tobacco use, poses significant barriers to achieving the WHO’s 2030 target: ensuring 80% of people with diabetes are diagnosed and 80% of them achieve glycemic control.

India’s Preparedness to Meet WHO 2030 Targets

• Improved Diagnostic Criteria: Recent studies incorporating fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c levels provide a more comprehensive assessment of diabetes prevalence. This helps identify undiagnosed cases, particularly in high-burden regions like South Asia.
• Policy Support: Initiatives under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke (NPCDCS) aim to provide free screening and management services. Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) are being utilized to expand access to diagnostics.
• Role of Technology: Telemedicine services and mobile health units are increasingly deployed to reach underserved areas. Integration of digital health platforms supports patient tracking and follow-ups.
• Awareness Campaigns: National campaigns highlight lifestyle changes such as healthy diets and physical activity to mitigate diabetes risk factors.
• Large Undiagnosed Population: With 133 million people over 30 years of age undiagnosed, there is a significant gap in early detection. Many individuals remain asymptomatic or unaware of their condition, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
• Lifestyle and Behavioral Factors: Unhealthy diets rich in carbohydrates and saturated fats, sedentary lifestyles, and insufficient public focus on tobacco use as a diabetes risk factor exacerbate the problem. Tobacco use increases the risk of diabetes by 30-40%, yet its connection to diabetes is underemphasized in public health policies.
• Healthcare Infrastructure Gaps: Rural areas face significant deficits in diagnostic facilities and trained healthcare personnel. Poor integration of gestational diabetes management into maternal healthcare services increases the long-term risk for mothers and children.
• Financial Barriers: High out-of-pocket expenses for diabetes care deter many individuals from seeking timely diagnosis and treatment.
• Lack of Coordinated Action: Weak linkages between diagnostic services, treatment facilities, and community-based interventions hinder comprehensive diabetes management.

Conclusion

While India has taken steps to address diabetes, the magnitude of the challenge requires intensified and coordinated efforts. Scaling up diagnosis, integrating comprehensive care at the primary level, and addressing lifestyle and behavioral factors, particularly tobacco use, are critical to meeting the 2030 WHO targets.