ICRISAT announces Dr Stanford Blade as Interim Director General
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has completed the phase I of Task Force project entitled, “ICMR-India Diabetes (INDIAB) Study-Phase-I,” with the aim to determine the national prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and pre-diabetes in India, by estimating the state-wise prevalence of the same, and to compare the prevalence of type-2 diabetes and pre-diabetes in urban and rural areas across India.
Informing this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on March 10, the Health Minister, J P Nadda said that in the first phase of the study, the rural and urban settings in four states and one union territory viz., Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Chandigarh have been included. The adjusted prevalence of diabetes (both known and newly diagnosed) in Tamil Nadu was 10.4 %, Jharkhand-5.3%, Chandigarh-13.6% and Maharashtra-8.4%. The prevalence of pre-diabetes was 8.3%, 8.1%, 14.6% and 12.8 % respectively.
Data reported during the course of screening of school children under National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) during 11th Plan indicates that out of 93,648 school children screened in the towns of Nainital, Ratlam & Bhilwara, 1,354 (1.45%) were suspected to be diabetic. While health is a state subject, the central government supplements the efforts of the state governments for improving healthcare.
The Government of India has launched NPCDCS, which is implemented for interventions up to district level under the National Health Mission. NPCDCS has a focus on awareness generation for behaviour and life-style changes, screening and early diagnosis of persons with high level of risk factors and their referral to higher facilities for appropriate management.
The minister noted that facilities including those for testing and treatment for diabetes are provided in various government institutions. In addition, under NPCDCS, diagnosis and treatment facilities are provided through different levels of healthcare including NCD Clinics located in District Hospitals and Community Health Centres (CHCs).
As per National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority three Insulin Injections in the strength of 40IU / ml viz., Insulin Injection (Soluble), Intermediate Acting (Lente/NPH Insulin) and Premix insulin 30:70 Injection are included in the Schedule-I of the Drugs Price Control Order(DPCO), 2013 and are under price control. These insulin injections were also under price control under DPCO, 1995 and the ceiling price fixed under the provision of DPCO, 1995 continue to be in force as per the provisions of DPCO, 2013.