A screening programme in Telangana has brought to light the scale of a silent epidemic, with lakhs living with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) often without noticeable symptoms until complications arise. The programme has revealed that 26.90 lakh people were diagnosed with hypertension and 14 lakh with diabetes, underscoring the hidden burden of these conditions, according to the Telangana Socio Economic Outlook 2026.
Three rounds of the screening, conducted annually among individuals aged 30 years and above, were completed up to March 2025. In the third round held during 2024-25, a total of 1.37 crore people were screened for hypertension and diabetes. All individuals diagnosed with these conditions were enrolled for treatment under the State’s public health system, the report noted.
The initiative forms a key component of Telangana’s strategy to address the growing burden of NCDs through early detection and continuous management. Screening and follow-up services are being delivered through NCD clinics and the primary healthcare network across the State.
India’s challenge: stemming the rising tide of non-communicable diseases
The Outlook further notes that Telangana has outlined a roadmap to double its health expenditure to 8% of its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) as part of its goal to become a $3 trillion economy by 2047, while strengthening preventive, promotive and rehabilitative healthcare systems.
