India, UNICEF to join hands amid rising concerns of NCDs among children

UNICEF plans to collaborate with the government to address the rising concerns of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among children, said UNICEF India Health Specialist Dr Vivek Virendra Singh.

• The govt is developing additional guidelines, which will enable leveraging of India’s extensive network of NCD clinics

In an interview with PTI, Singh also emphasised the urgent need to address the intersection of environmental degradation, climate change and NCDs among children. The government is developing additional guidelines specifically targeting NCDs in children, he said, adding UNICEF plans to support the government by ensuring these guidelines are effectively disseminated across states in India.

The guidelines will enable leveraging of India's extensive network of over 800 NCD clinics at district levels and over 2,000 at sub-district levels for prevention and management of NCDs in children.