New Delhi, 04 July (H.S.): Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturday said India is witnessing a rapid rise in cases of liver diseases and Type 2 diabetes, stressing that the growing health burden requires mission-mode public awareness and coordinated action. He said the increasing prevalence of these diseases, particularly among young people and adolescents, makes them a national public health challenge rather than merely a medical concern.

Addressing the third anniversary programme of the Liver and Metabolic Disease Network at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), Dr Singh said liver disorders and metabolic diseases are becoming increasingly common in India and require urgent attention through research, early diagnosis and preventive healthcare.

He explained that conditions such as fatty liver disease, hypertension, dyslipidaemia (abnormal cholesterol levels) and insulin resistance are closely interconnected, with each significantly increasing the risk of the others.

Dr Singh noted that Indians are genetically more susceptible to developing diabetes and fatty liver disease, even at comparatively lower body weight, due to a greater tendency to accumulate abdominal fat. He said this underlines the need for India-specific research and healthcare solutions tailored to the country's unique demographic and genetic profile.

The minister observed that the liver, one of the body's strongest organs with remarkable regenerative capacity, is increasingly being affected by unhealthy dietary habits, physical inactivity, inadequate sleep, stress and environmental pollution.

He called for the development of affordable early diagnostic technologies, community-level screening programmes and indigenous innovations to enable timely detection and management of liver diseases.

Dr Singh also highlighted the potential of biotechnology, genomics and artificial intelligence in developing more accurate and personalised treatment strategies for patients suffering from liver and metabolic disorders.

Concluding his address, he said scientific progress alone would not be sufficient to address the growing disease burden. Promoting healthy lifestyles, balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, adequate sleep and greater awareness about obesity are equally important. According to Dr Singh, a healthy population will be the greatest strength in achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar