UNICEF India and the Press Information Bureau collaboratively organized a media workshop on “Childhood NCDs” in Mumbai today. The workshop served as a platform for health sector experts and professionals to share insights on the prevailing situation of childhood non-communicable diseases in the state and to deliberate on strategies for their effective prevention and management. Recognizing that communication plays a vital role in raising public awareness, the session also guided health sector mediapersons on effectively engaging with communities and building societal awareness around childhood NCDs.
Childhood non-communicable diseases are fast becoming a silent emergency in Maharashtra, affecting over six million children across the state. Conditions once considered adult illnesses, such as diabetes, asthma, congenital heart disease, sickle cell disease, and obesity, are now affecting children in growing numbers. Globally, NCDs are responsible for 71 per cent of all deaths. In India, they account for nearly two in three deaths. Maharashtra reflects this trend, with an estimated 2000 new cases of Type 1 diabetes and 20,000-25,000 cases of congenital heart disease having been identified. Additionally, almost 3.3 million children in the state live with asthma, and an estimated 8.8 million have some form of mental disorder. Childhood obesity is also on the rise, with six million children being overweight, of whom 2.4 million are obese.
In his keynote address, Dr. Nipun Vinayak, Secretary of the Public Health Department, Government of Maharashtra, said the state is committed to strengthening services for children with NCDs. He highlighted the immediate priorities as expanding school screenings, ensuring free access to essential medicines, and improving district-level care. Vinayak emphasized that these diseases can be prevented if care is initiated during pregnancy at primary health centers, and he called for a collective effort to reach all levels of society, particularly marginalized communities. Smita Vats Sharma, Director General of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, West Zone, noted that childhood NCDs are not just a health issue but also impact education, family income, and mental well-being. She stressed that the health of children is a determinant of the state’s future. Sanjay Singh, Chief of UNICEF in Maharashtra, described childhood NCDs as one of the most pressing yet under-recognized challenges of our time, referring to them as an “invisible epidemic”. He commended Maharashtra’s leadership in launching focused actions for early detection and integrated management, setting a precedent for the rest of the country. Singh also stated that UNICEF is partnering with the Government of Maharashtra to ensure every child has the chance to live a healthy life, and that the impact of these diseases extends beyond hospitals, as families face recurring medical costs, frequent travel to district centers, and the social stigma their children endure. To address this challenge, AIIMS Nagpur, with UNICEF’s support, has established a Paediatric NCD Clinic offering weekly outpatient services. The state health department is also looking into ways to integrate children’s NCD care into the National Programme for Prevention and Control of NCDs. Dr. Prashant Joshi, Executive Director of AIIMS, said that the partnership with UNICEF and the Government of Maharashtra allows them to move beyond treatment and focus on prevention, reaching children and families early, building healthier habits, and reducing the burden of childhood NCDs.
During a panel discussion, healthcare experts underscored the importance of strengthening school health screenings, providing free access to essential medicines like insulin and inhalers, establishing district-level NCD clinics, and integrating mental health support within educational systems as key measures to combat childhood NCDs. A Fact Check session on Health Misinformation was conducted by Sayyid Rabeehashmi, Director of PIB Mumbai. The session aimed to build awareness about identifying false information, promoting accurate health communication, and encouraging responsible media reporting. A separate session, moderated by Dr. Mangesh Gadhari, Health Specialist at UNICEF Maharashtra, provided a platform for children living with NCDs and their caregivers to share their challenges and expectations. The event concluded with an interactive group exercise where mediapersons developed and peer-reviewed story pitches on childhood NCDs, fostering collaborative learning and enhancing their capacity for impactful health reporting. The PIB established a Fact Check Unit in November 2019 to tackle fake news related to the Government of India, its various ministries, departments, public sector undertakings, and other central government organizations.
