In 10 years, government aims 25% cut in premature cancer deaths

The health ministry has chalked out an overarching National Multi-Sectoral Action Plan with the aim to reduce premature deaths from cancer, diabetes and heart diseases by 25% in the next 10 years (by 2025).

The plan, which includes initiatives and measures from at least 27 government departments including ministries like environment, women and child development, urban development, industries etc, is in the final stage and will soon be drafted into a policy statement, a senior official said.

The idea is to tackle rising burden of non-communicable diseases ( NCDs), which account for 55% of the premature mortality in the age group of 30-69 years, which represents the economically productive segment of the population.
Government estimates show diseases like cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases account for a socio-economic loss of 2-8% of GDP.

In an inter-ministerial meeting on Friday, officials from 27 government departments along with representatives from public health groups and the World Health Organisation discussed the immediate measures and steps required to tackle and control the rising disease burden and mortality.

The plan also includes multi-sectoral steps required to control the behaviourial risk factors of NCDs like use of tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy diet and lack of physical activities.

"Our thorough assessment shows that efforts are required from all government departments to control and prevent the root causes of NCDs like pollution, sanitation and use of tobacco and alcohol," the official said. He added the government has, therefore, opted for a multi-pronged long-term strategy to identify and fight the root causes of these diseases.

Taking a lead, India is one of the first countries to adapt WHO's global monitoring framework on NCDs. Targets under the framework include 50% relative reduction in household use of solid fuel and a 30% relative reduction in prevalence of current tobacco use by 2025.

Globally, 4 million deaths are caused by exposures to household (indoor) air pollution and 3.7 million deaths are attributed to outdoor air pollution. Approximately 40% of the deaths from indoor air pollution and 25% of those attributed to outdoor air pollution occur in the SouthEast Asia region.