FOR INDIA TO GET BETTER

India’s path to becoming a global powerhouse hinges on the well-being of its people. Addressing the dual challenges of rising noncommunicable diseases and an ageing population is essential for sustainable economic growth and prosperity

- By Sonali Acharjee

The health of India's vast populace is, of course, important for its own sake. It is also a critical component of rapid growth-think of it as the cause, not the effect, of India becoming a global giant. A healthy workforce will be the life-force of our economy. The challenges before us are stark. While making health accessible and affordable to the masses is critical, there has to be a major emphasis on tackling the new epidemic of lifestyle diseases that are classified as noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report titled 'Invisible Numbers', a staggering 66 per cent of deaths in India in 2019 were attributed to NCDs: high blood pressure, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, stroke, renal disease and mental disorders. The report suggests that 22 per cent of Indians then at age 30 or more would succumb to these before their 70th birthday. In 2017, the Indian Council of Medical Research, too, had estimated that the share of deaths due to NCDs in India increased from 37.9 per cent in 1990 to 61.8 per cent in 2016. "Not only is the financial strain of treating NCDs higher, so are the mortality rates," says Dr Dorairaj Prabhakaran, noted cardiologist and Executive Director, Centre for Chronic Disease Control. He also cites the reduction in quality of life that patients suffer. "Unlike an infectious disease, NCDs stay with you for life and need vigilant monitoring and medicine,” adds Dr Prabhakaran.

On top of the rising burden of NCDs, there is also a prediction that a large elderly population's health needs will be specific and call for long-term structures to be put in place.