Govt to sharpen its focus on prevention of NCDs: Health minister

Hyderabad: The health minister, Damodar Rajanarasimha, on Wednesday, said that the govt will sharpen its focus on the prevention, control, treatment and palliative care of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 2026. He emphasised that specialised care has become more accessible to rural communities through the establishment of NCD clinics and day care cancer clinics.According to health officials, NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), coronary artery disease, and cancers now account for 63–65% of all deaths in India.Studies and surveys indicate that almost one in three adults in Telangana suffers from hypertension, while the prevalence of diabetes is estimated at around 14–16%, which is higher in urban districts such as Hyderabad, Rangareddy and Medchal–Malkajgiri.The rise in NCDs is driven by several risk factors, including obesity, sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy dietary habits, excess salt and sugar consumption, tobacco and alcohol use, urbanisation and psychological stress. "People should follow regular daily routines, ensure adequate sleep, adopt balanced home-cooked diets, practise meal sequencing with fibre and protein first, engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily, manage stress effectively, and avoid harmful habits such as tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption. They should also undergo regular health check-ups, even when asymptomatic, to enable early detection and reduce long-term complications," said Dr A Narendra Kumar, DME of Telangana.Over 100 critical care units to come up in state this yearMeanwhile, over 100 critical care units and trauma centres will be operational across the state by 2026. The ‘108 ambulance' service is being expanded to aim to reach accident sites within 10 minutes and provide immediate medical aid. Furthermore, four new super-speciality hospitals for critical ailments such as heart, kidney and cancer problems will open, providing free treatment for the poor.