PANAJI
Goa’s health authorities are facing a mounting challenge as non-communicable diseases surge across the State, according to the National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6), released recently by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The data paints a stark picture with diabetes, hypertension, and obesity rising sharply and placing Goa high above the national average.
The data shows a steep climb in cases among men aged 15 and above. Diabetes prevalence has jumped from 24.1% in NFHS-5 to 32.1% in NFHS-6. Obesity has surged from 32.6% to 43.6%. Hypertension has edged up to 27.5%.
Women also mirror this trend -- diabetes up from 20.8% to 27.5%, while obesity in them has soared from 36.1% to 45.1%. Hypertension, however, has dipped in the female population slightly, from 27.5% to 26.2%.
The rural–urban divide is also striking with rural women recording higher hypertension rates at 27.8%, compared to 24.9% in urban women.
Urban men are more prone to diabetes, with 36.3% showing blood sugar above 140 mg/dl, against 27.4% in rural men.
As for obesity, it is more pronounced in the cities and towns: 44.1% of men and 48.3% of women, compared to 42.9% and 41.1% respectively in rural areas.
The data also shows that Goa’s rising graph of these lifestyle or non-communicable diseases, consistently outpaces the national levels.
National diabetes prevalence stands at 17.8% for women and 20.9% for men, but in Goa it is 27.5% and 32.1%. Hypertension averages 19.4% for women and 22.1% for men nationally, compared to Goa's 26.2% and 27.5% respectively.
Obesity too is 30.7% for women and 27.3% for men nationally, but 45.1% and 43.6% in Goa.
The findings underline the urgency of intervention. Goa’s health system must strengthen preventive care, expand awareness campaigns, and promote healthier lifestyles, admitted a senior official in the Directorate of Health Services.
CM champions healthier lifestyle habits
In response to the alarming rise in diabetes, hypertension and obesity revealed by the Union health ministry’s NFHS 6 survey, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday appealed to Goans to make conscious lifestyle changes.
In a message shared on social media, Sawant urged citizens to adopt simple but consistent habits such as regular exercise, balanced diets, and reduced consumption of sugar and processed foods.
He emphasized that preventive healthcare must become a collective priority and called on doctors and medical professionals to intensify awareness campaigns across the State.
The Chief Minister also encouraged participation in the ongoing ‘Health with Ayurveda’ initiative, which has been extended until July 5.
Himself an Ayurveda doctor, Sawant said small, everyday adjustments can significantly improve long term health outcomes.
