ACCORDING to a report released by World Health Organisation (WHO), around 61 per cent of deaths in India are caused by non-communicable diseases including heart disorders, cancer and diabetes. The number is significant and points towards a major lacuna in the country’s healthcare facilities and lack of awareness. Taking in view the number, the clarion call by Vice-President Mr. Venkaiah Naidu to dedicate the next decade to make India healthier should form a mission for medical fraternity -- both Government as well as private.

 

The Union Government has already pitched in with affordable healthcare schemes like Ayushman Bharat. This modest start must be transformed into a nationwide movement against the growing incidence of non-communicable diseases and making available affordable healthcare facilities. The private sector has a major role to play in making India a healthy society in the next decade. It has all the necessary resources and equipped manpower. All that is needed is a blueprint to unleash a consolidated health scheme.