New Delhi, August 17: Diabetes prevention must become a national priority, with greater focus on awareness, early detection and healthcare access in rural and underserved communities, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said.
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Speaking at the launch of the RSSDI Diabetes Rural Outreach Digital Portal and VISHWAS Diabetes Awareness Video Library, Singh said the growing diabetes burden is no longer limited to urban India and requires a stronger community-based approach.
He stressed that early detection, timely medical intervention, healthier lifestyles and regular follow-up can help reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications and improve quality of life.
The Minister said protecting India’s young population is particularly important, noting that more than 70 per cent of the country’s population is below 40. Greater awareness of healthy food habits, physical activity and regular health checks, he said, can help address lifestyle-related health risks at an early stage.
The RSSDI Rural Outreach Programme has already reached around 30 villages across several states, with plans for further expansion. The initiative aims to take specialist medical knowledge closer to communities that may have limited access to specialised healthcare.
The newly launched digital portal will support systematic documentation, continuity of care and monitoring of health outcomes while generating useful data from rural communities. Such data can help healthcare professionals and policymakers better understand disease patterns and develop more effective prevention strategies.
Singh also emphasised the importance of making digital healthcare accessible in local and colloquial languages so that health information can reach people at the grassroots in a simple and understandable manner.
He called for greater cooperation among government agencies, medical professionals, academic institutions, technology partners, private organisations and local healthcare workers, stressing that diabetes prevention cannot be the responsibility of doctors alone.
The Minister highlighted the growing convergence of medicine, technology and engineering in healthcare and said digital innovation should complement community-level healthcare rather than remain limited to urban centres.
The initiative seeks to strengthen awareness and preventive healthcare while encouraging individuals and communities to take greater responsibility for their health.
Singh expressed hope that the rural outreach programme would develop into a sustainable and scalable model for preventing and managing diabetes and other non-communicable diseases.
The focus, he said, should be on building a healthier India where scientific knowledge, digital innovation and quality healthcare reach every village and every citizen.