A nationwide campaign against chronic diseases was recently inaugurated in Mumbai with the pledge to tackle the risk factors, diagnosis and management of ailments such as diabetes, heart disease and mental illness. India is predicted to become the capital of chronic diseases within the next 10 years

Corporates and non-government organisations in the country are bracing themselves to counter chronic diseases that, according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report, will claim 350 million lives worldwide in the next 10 years, with a significant proportion of them in India.

The report, ‘Preventing Chronic Diseases -- A Vital Investment’, released in 2005, estimates that premature deaths in countries such as China, India and the Russian Federation will cost billions of dollars over the next 10 years.

Helpyourbody, a nationwide campaign against chronic diseases, was recently inaugurated by former President A P J Abdul Kalam, at Mumbai’s K C College. The campaign will focus on ailments such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, addiction, and mental health.

The initiative by Piramal Group with the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India will kick off in three phases. The first phase will comprise a panel of experts in diabetology, cardiology and orthopaedics, as crusaders. Each crusader will impart information to patients about the risk factors for chronic diseases, diagnosis and management.

In the second phase, a helpyourbody test for chronic illnesses will be available at 90 diagnostic centres in 47 cities; detection camps will be organised in 20 cities across India reaching out to 10,00,000 people. Local communities built through non-governmental organisations and the local medical fraternity will provide a platform for people to build and sustain momentum through periodic local activities.

“India is expected to be the chronic disease capital, with over 70 million diabetics, 213 million hypertensive patients, and 60 million people with arthritis, by 2025. We feel the government, the private sector, the medical fraternity and NGOs should come together against the onslaught of chronic diseases,” said Dr Swati Piramal, director, Piramal Healthcare Ltd.

Kalam said: “Corporates should carry out periodic check-ups of employees over 40 years. Students should become ambassadors for this cause. Rural areas need to have mobile clinics, and awareness among taxi drivers and dabbawallahs should be increased.”

Kalam suggested that the group should integrate various systems of medicine available in the country such as allopathy, ayurveda, homoeopathy, unani, siddha and yoga to fight chronic ailments at an affordable cost.

The Piramal Group will set up a 30,000-member advisory panel of experts who will disseminate knowledge and information to patients on the risk factors for chronic diseases, diagnosis and management through a mass media campaign on the website www.helpyourbody.in.

Source: Daily News & Analysis, August 18, 2008
            PTI, August 16, 2008
           Business Standard, August 16, 2008