Government of India Expands NCD and Cancer Screening Efforts Under Ayushman Bharat Initiative

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New Clinics and Training Programs Aim to Boost Early Detection and Management

New Delhi, August 3, 2024 — In a significant advancement towards combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the Government of India has launched an extensive nationwide screening initiative under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. This initiative is designed to enhance early detection and management of NCDs, including cancer, across rural and urban areas alike.

The initiative is part of the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), which has been operational since 2010. The NP-NCD program aims to address major NCDs such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Its core components include strengthening healthcare infrastructure, developing human resources, promoting health, and improving early diagnosis and management.

As part of this expansion, the National Health Mission (NHM) has established 753 NCD clinics and 356 Day Care Centres at the district level, alongside 6,238 NCD clinics at Community Health Centres (CHCs). These facilities play a crucial role in the prevention and early detection of NCDs, with awareness campaigns conducted at all levels to educate the public on preventive measures.

A major focus of this initiative is the screening of individuals over 30 years of age for three common cancers—oral, breast, and cervical—as well as for diabetes and hypertension. The program operates through Ayushman Bharat’s Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs), which are integral to delivering comprehensive primary health care. As of July 29, 2024, India has successfully operationalized 173,827 AAMs across the country.

To support this expansive program, the Government of India is providing both technical and financial assistance to States and Union Territories. This includes training for primary healthcare providers to improve their capacity for screening and management of NCDs. By May 10, 2024, over 1.4 million healthcare professionals, including Medical Officers, Community Health Officers (CHOs), Staff Nurses, Multi-Purpose Workers (MPWs), and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), have been trained to enhance their skills in disease screening and health promotion.

This strategic expansion underlines the Government’s commitment to improving health outcomes and ensuring timely intervention for those at risk of NCDs. With increased infrastructure, trained personnel, and widespread screening programs, India is poised to make significant strides in combating the burden of non-communicable diseases.

For more information on the operational Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and the status of the initiative, please refer to the annexure provided.

Annexure

State/UT-wise List of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs Operationalized

S. No	State/UT	Ayushman Arogya Mandirs Operationalized
1	Kerala	6,961
2	DNH&DD	95
3	Telangana	5,039
4	Ladakh	321
5	Andhra Pradesh	11,860
6	Andaman & Nicobar Islands	129
7	Lakshadweep	13
8	Odisha	7,350
9	Gujarat	10,529
10	Mizoram	401
11	Bihar	10,334
12	Puducherry	127
13	Karnataka	9,922
14	West Bengal	13,376
15	Haryana	3,213
16	Punjab	3,134
17	Goa	301
18	Madhya Pradesh	11,804
19	Sikkim	184
20	Uttarakhand	2,186
21	Assam	4,739
22	Arunachal Pradesh	483
23	Chhattisgarh	5,826
24	Jammu & Kashmir	3,104
25	Himachal Pradesh	2,462
26	Tripura	1,128
27	Chandigarh	50
28	Manipur	418
29	Maharashtra	11,684
30	Nagaland	467
31	Tamil Nadu	8,246
32	Uttar Pradesh	22,457
33	Meghalaya	597
34	Rajasthan	11,300
35	Jharkhand	3,587
	TOTAL	1,73,827