The Kerala government is set to launch a comprehensive health program aimed at tackling non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, heart diseases, and diabetes. With an estimated cost of Rs 3,000 crore, the program will be largely funded by the World Bank. Titled the ‘Kerala Health Systems Improvement Programme,’ the initiative aims to build a resilient health system capable of delivering value-based healthcare and responding effectively to emerging threats, including climate change.
The program will be implemented over a five-year period, starting in 2024, and will cover 14 districts in the state. The Kerala government will contribute Rs 900 crore towards the project. The focus of the program will be on improving the output of primary and secondary healthcare centers to enhance the provision of NCD care.
Despite the government’s efforts to address NCDs, the disease burden in Kerala continues to rise. The state is known as the diabetic capital of the country, and it also has the highest percentage of people aged 60 and above. Cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases alone account for approximately 120,000 deaths annually in Kerala. Additionally, it is estimated that 6 million adults in the state live with hypertension or diabetes.
Dr. Jeemon Panniyammakal, an additional professor at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, said that creative solutions are needed to tackle the growing burden of NCDs. He highlighted the need to improve the control rate of hypertension and diabetes on a population level, which could potentially save thousands of lives each year.
Dr. Jeemon also emphasized the importance of developing a patient-centered and integrated care delivery model for managing multimorbidity in primary care. Surveys have shown that a significant number of adults seeking care from primary health centers in Kerala suffer from multiple chronic conditions.
The impact of NCDs was felt acutely during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, with many patients requiring prolonged hospital stays and experiencing worse outcomes. In response, the state health department conducted a survey to assess the prevalence of NCDs in the population and identify areas for early intervention. The survey revealed that over 15 lakh people suffer from hypertension and over 12 lakh have diabetes.
Dr. Althaf A, an epidemiologist and associate professor at Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital, emphasized the need for creative solutions to address the increasing burden of NCDs. He suggested that the development of parks and walkways could encourage physical activity, helping prevent the growth of diabetes and hypertension.
The launch of the ‘Kerala Health Systems Improvement Programme’ is a significant step forward in the state’s efforts to combat NCDs. By investing in a resilient health system and enhancing inter-sectoral collaboration, Kerala aims to improve the delivery of NCD care and effectively respond to the healthcare needs of its population. With the support of the World Bank and the state government’s funding, this multi-year initiative holds great promise in tackling the growing burden of lifestyle ailments in Kerala.
