Diabetes is one of the major Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) affecting people across the Globe including India. The Government has taken a number of steps for prevention and control of diabetes.

Government of India launched National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (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 treatment and referral (if required) to higher facilities for appropriate management for Non-communicable Diseases including Diabetes. Under NPCDCS, diagnosis and treatment facilities for Diabetes are provided through different levels of healthcare by setting up of NCD Clinics at District Hospitals and Community Health Centres (CHCs). The programme includes intervention at the level of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Sub-Centres also.

India is the first country globally to adopt the NCD Global Monitoring Framework and Action Plan to its National Context. The Framework includes a set of nine voluntary targets and 25 indicators which can be applied across regional and country settings. The framework elements include halting the rise in obesity and diabetes prevalence, reduction in alcohol use and promotion of physical activity.

The Government of India has developed a National Multi Sectoral Action Plan (NMSAP) for prevention and control of NCDs to guide multisectoral efforts towards attaining the National NCD objectives. The said NMSAP has been shared with relevant Central Government Ministries/Departments for their suggestions/feedback.

For holistic development of adolescent population, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2014 launched Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) to reach out to 253 million adolescents – male and female, rural and urban, married and unmarried, in and out of school adolescents with special focus on marginalized and underserved groups. The six thematic areas covered under RKSK include Non-Communicable Diseases.

As informed by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), provision for declaration of sugar has been prescribed under sub-regulation 2.2.2(3) of Nutritional Information of Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011.

Labelling provisions for artificial sweetener are prescribed under sub regulation 2.4.5(24, 25, 27, 28 and 29) of Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011.

Several awareness initiatives have been undertaken by the Government including observance of World Diabetes Day, organising of screening and major awareness events at occasions such as the India International Trade Fair (IITF), Delhi.

The Health Minister, Shri J P Nadda stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.