Centre launches project to prevent cancer, diabetes

The Centre on Tuesday launched a pilot project, which integrates homeopathy and yoga with a national programme for the prevention and control of diseases such as cancer and diabetes.

AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik launched the ‘Integration of Homoeopathy and Yoga with National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke’ (NPCDCS) under the Health Ministry in Krishna district near Amaravathi in Andhra Pradesh.

“About 5.8 million Indians die from heart and lung diseases, cancer and diabetes, which means one out of every four Indians runs the risk of dying from one of these diseases before they reach the age of 70. People become vulnerable to these diseases due to smoking, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption and stress, among other problems. The AYUSH system of medicine has a great potential to contribute towards improvement in the healthcare delivery system. Homoeopathy is the most accepted healthcare system after modern and Ayurveda medicine in India,” Naik said.

Noting that NPCDCS was launched to promote health and to control these diseases, Naik said integration of AYUSH can act as a catalyst to operationalize its objectives. He also stressed on generating awareness among children and college students for long-term prevention of these diseases.