More than 6 million children in Maharashtra have non-communicable diseases, say experts

Non -Infectious Diseases in Childhood (NCDs) are rapidly emerging as one of Maharashtra’s most severe public health challenges, and experts warn that the state’s understanding of the future of children and a “silent epidemic önen who threatens the health system.

On Monday, September 15, 2025, in a workshop organized by UNICEF India and the Press Information Office (PIB), the data revealed the scale of the crisis.

Maharashtra has more than 6 million overweight children classified as 2.4 million obese. Each year, approximately 2,000 new types of type 1 diabetes are reported in cases of 20,000 to 25,000 congenital heart disease. Respiratory disease is common, approximately 3.3 million children with asthma, estimated 8.8 million children face some kind of mental disorder.

Globally, NCDs make up 71% of all deaths, and about two of the three deaths in India are attributed to them. Maharashtra’s Secretary of Public Health Department. Nipun Vinayak, “Once upon a time only diabetes, asthma, congenital heart disease, sickle cell disease and obesity is thought to affect adults, children are increasingly emerged in children and this alarm is giving us all,” he said. He emphasized that the government’s focus should immediately expand the school representations, to provide uninterrupted access to drugs and to strengthen the care at the regional level and to prevent prevention as early as pregnancy.

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Obesity is one of the fastest growing threats. Bad diet directs processed food, physical inactivity and excessive screen time tendency. The President of the Pediatric in Nagpur. Meenakshi Girish, “Obesity is not only related to weight, 44% of diabetes, 23% of heart disease and 41% of some cancers later in life,” he said. In the first six months, special breastfeeding, regular physical activity and sugary drinks limit and prevention measures proposed display exposure.

Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that the body stops producing insulin, now makes up three -quarters of childhood diabetes. India’s more than 2.00,000 children and adolescents living with illness, the world has the highest level and Maharashtra adds about 2,000 new cases every year. Management requires lifelong insulin, but families struggle with limited access to insulin, gluket, educated educators and psychosocial support and forces many of them to expensive special care.

Asthma is often misdiagnosed as recurrent cough or chest infections and delays treatment. This is triggered by pollution, allergens and climate factors, causing abducted school days, sleep cuts, fatigue and long -term lung damage. Nevertheless, doctors said early diagnosis and appropriate care can help children live normal lives.

Mental health has emerged as an emergency concern affected by approximately 8.8 million children and adolescents and adolescents in Maharashtra to behavioral problems, learning difficulties and substance use. Nationally, 7.3% of adolescents aged 13 to 17 show signs of mental morbidity, while globally the figure is between 8 and 15%. Experts emphasized the need for awareness, school -based life skills training, family support and accessible services to reduce stigmatization and ensure premature intervention.

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Congenital Heart Disease (KKH), the most common birth defect, affects 20,000 newborn annually or 8 to 10 per 1000 live births per year. Many are not diagnosed due to weak scanning and limited access to special care, which causes delayed growth, learning problems and frequent hospitalization. According to Rashtria Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) data, 16,2,200 children were identified with CHD and more than 27,000 operations were performed under the program. Maintenance progresses, timely diagnosis, means that children with KKH can live healthy lives.

Orak cell disease, which is another important concern in Maharashtra, especially in Vidarbha, affects approximately 70% of 16,413 patients in condensed tribal areas. Genetic disorder causes anemia, pain, infections and organ damage, seriously affecting continuation and growth. Although it cannot be cured, it can reduce early detection and consistent care complications and improve life expectancy.

Experts also warned that late diagnosis continues to be a critical difficulty. Families usually start treatment only after the progress of diseases and lead to preventive hospitalization and lifelong complications. Even after diagnosis, access to care with pediatric experts and consultancy services limited to larger hospitals is irregular. Further combines high costs, frequent hospital visits and stigma problem.

UNICEF MAHARASHTRA Chief Sanjay Singh said, “The burden is not only medical and financial. Parents are pushed into debt for recurrent costs and children are isolated in schools,” he said. He described his childhood NCDs as a “invisible epidemic ve and announced that a pediatric NCD clinic was launched in AIIMS Nagpur with the support of UNICEF and provided weekly polyclinic services.

General Manager of AIIMS Nagpur Prashant Joshi stressed that India has undergone an epidemiological transition and NCDs increased faster than contagious diseases. He said that the National Program (NP-NCD) targeted adults over 30 for the prevention and control of NCDs and excludes children. “Maharashtra lacks a special policy and standard protocols for childhood NCDs. This partnership between AIIMS, UNICEF and the state is the first step to create models of early detection, prevention and healthier habits,” he said.

Published – 16 September 2025 02:52