Non-communicable Diseases Mortality to Cost a Whopping USD237 Billion to the National Income by 2015

Experts Say Universal Access to Preventive and Curative Intervention is Crucial

NEW DELHI, October 25, 2010 - Health experts participating at a roundtable organised by India Health
Progress(IHP) on economic and social impact of non-communicable diseases in
India are of the opinion that a concerted effort is required to address the
growing burden.

A review of variety of papers assessing the burden of non-communicable
diseases in India has just been released by the Cameron Institute, an
independent think tank. The Cameron Institute analysis concludes that the
economic impacts of chronic non communicable disease in India will be
enormous with the most preventable: heart diseases, strokes, and diabetes
alone costing a whopping USD237 billion to country's national income during
2006-15.

'India Health Progress' is an independent platform, launched on August
15, 2010, aimed at bringing together all like minded organizations to address
the longstanding issue of healthcare inaccessibility in India. The roundtable
by IHP brought together Government organizations, NGO community, consumer
advocates and industry in a collaborative effort to address an important
health and economic issue that will impact India's future growth and
prosperity.

Experts at the roundtable highlighted the best practices in preventing
and managing chronic diseases and for promoting effective preventions and
interventions. Among those who participated included Ms Kamini Walia,
Director, R&D at PATH; Dr Ratna Devi, Chief Executive, Chronic Care
Foundation and Dr Rana J Singh, Technical Advisor, The Union South East Asia
International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.

Well known consumer expert Mr Bejon Misra made a detailed presentation on
role of consumer organizations in strengthening the healthcare delivery
system in India. This was followed by a presentation by Prashant Mathur, a
senior scientist with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on the role
of public sector in improving access to healthcare. Senior columnist Mr Ashok
Malik moderated the discussion.

Mr Aman Gupta, Principal Advisor, India Health Progress, said, "India
Health Progress seeks to build consciousness in the minds of Indian audience
around healthcare inaccessibility. With today's initiative, we intend to
generate a dialogue on growing economic and social burden of chronic
non-communicable diseases, create community and political support for
prevention and disease management programs and promote the private sector
engagement in workplace wellness programs."

    For further information, please contact:
    Amrita Thukral /Brijesh Bhatt
    +91-9891171040 /+91-9999280664

For further information, please contact: Amrita Thukral /Brijesh Bhatt, +91-9891171040 /+91-9999280664