The Maharashtra government is strengthening its screening drive for early detection of childhood non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to tackle a growing health crisis that has already affected more than six million children across the state, reported news agency PTI.
The state is committed to enhancing services for children with NCDs, Maharashtra Public Health Department Secretary Dr Nipun Vinayak said at a workshop on ‘Childhood NCDs’ on Monday.
“Expanding screenings in schools, ensuring free access to essential medicines, and improving district-level care are our immediate priorities. Such diseases can be prevented in the future if care is taken from the time of pregnancy at primary health centres. We all need to work together to reach all levels of society, especially marginalised communities,” PTI quoted Vinayak as saying.
Childhood NCDs are increasingly being seen as a silent emergency in Maharashtra, with conditions once considered adult illnesses – such as diabetes, asthma, congenital heart disease, sickle cell disease, and obesity – now affecting children in large numbers.
According to official data, around 2,000 new cases of Type 1 diabetes and 20,000–25,000 cases of congenital heart disease are reported in the state, reported PTI.
Nearly 3.3 million children are living with asthma, while 8.8 million are estimated to suffer from some form of mental disorder. Childhood obesity is also on the rise, with six million overweight children, including 2.4 million categorised as obese.
Globally, NCDs account for 71 per cent of all deaths, while in India they are responsible for nearly two in three deaths.
Describing childhood NCDs as “one of the most pressing but under-recognised challenges” and “an invisible epidemic”, UNICEF Maharashtra Chief Sanjay Singh said the state’s leadership in launching focused action for early detection and integrated management sets a precedent for the rest of the country.
“UNICEF is privileged to partner with the Maharashtra government to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has the chance to live a healthy, fulfilling life. The impact extends beyond hospitals. Families struggle with recurring medical costs, frequent travel to district centres, and the stigma their children face at school and in communities,” Singh added.
Singh also said that the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Nagpur, with support from UNICEF, has established a Paediatric NCD Clinic offering weekly outpatient services to address the challenge.
The state health department is exploring ways to integrate children’s NCD care into the National Programme for Prevention and Control of NCDs, he added.
AIIMS Nagpur Executive Director Dr Prashant Joshi said, “The partnership between AIIMS Nagpur, UNICEF and the Maharashtra government allows us to move beyond treatment and focus on prevention – reaching children and families early, building healthier habits, and reducing the burden of childhood NCDs.”
Together with the Maharashtra government and UNICEF, AIIMS Nagpur is committed to ensuring that every child has a fair chance to grow up healthy and thrive, he said.
(With PTI inputs)
