Twin challenge of COVID-19 Pandemic and Non-communicable diseases

Synopsis – There is a correlation between Non-Communicable Diseases [NCD] mortality rates and COVID-19 case fatalities. Government should focus on reducing the impact of Non-Communicable Diseases(NCD).

Introduction-

• Studies showed that over 70 per cent of mortalities associated with COVID are due to underlying non-communicable diseases (NCD) like diabetes, cardiovascular ailments, and cancer.
• Prevention and control of NCDs have played a crucial role in the COVID-19 response.
  • For example- India’s previous efforts to minimize NCD-related deaths have resulted in lower Covid-19 case fatality rates.
  • At 1.16 percent, India’s COVID case fatality rate is approximately half that of the world average of 2.17 percent.
• Every 10% reduction in the underlying NCD mortality rate results in a 20% reduction in COVID fatality rates.

What is India’s NCD strategy?

India developed a multi-sector NCD action plan to reduce the number of global premature deaths from NCDs by 25% by 2025.

Major initiatives-

• Strengthening health care system–
  • Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat scheme – The government would invest around Rs 64,000 crore in rural and urban health and wellness Centers [HWC] as part of this programme.
  • Around 1,20,000 PHCs being converted into HWCs to provide primary care for NCD.

• Providing financial protection –
  • PM’s health insurance scheme – The initiative covers 100 million of the most vulnerable population. It reduces out-of-pocket expenditures on health by expanding the scope of primary healthcare to include screening and diagnosis of NCD like CVD, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases.

• To address household air pollution –
  • PM Ujjwala Yojana – The use of LPG instead of polluting wood in 90 million households has reduced the risk of the chronic lung diseases and cancer that women were exposed to.

Suggestions to tackle the twin challenges of the COVID pandemic and NCD morbidities

• Ensuring universal access to screening for NCDs.
• Using Artificial Intelligence with telemedicine to continue healthcare for NCD patients during lockdown.
• Need to put focus on enhancing care policies for prevention and treatment, particularly in low- and middle-income countries to meet their UN SDGs to reduce NCD mortality by a third by 2030.

Way forward-

Achieving the SDG target by reducing one-third of premature mortalities due to NCD will make India more resilient to future viral pandemics. Thus, India must strengthen its health infrastructure through the Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat programme.

Source- The Indian Express