As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) report entitled “Assessment of burden of Non-Communicable Diseases 2006”, the prevalence of diabetes in the age group of 30 to 89 was ranging from 26 to 200 per 1000 in Urban females and 78 to 333 per 1000 in Urban Males.
In rural areas, it was 8.6 to 66.6 in females and 26 to 111 in males. It has been estimated that in 2004 there were 3,77,68,402 cases of Diabetes mellitus in India which consists of 2,14,04,225 cases in urban and 1,63,64,177 cases in rural population.
Government of India launched the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) in 2010 in 100 Districts of 21 States with a focus on awareness generation for behaviour and life-style changes, early diagnosis of persons with high levels of risk factors and their referral to higher facilities for appropriate management.
It has also been envisaged to build capacity at various levels of health care system for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of NCDs including diabetes.
Under this programme, opportunistic screening for diabetes and hypertension has been taken up for persons aged 30 years and above.
As of 12th December, 2012, a total number of 1.29 crore persons have been screened, out of which 9.67 lakh (7.48%) people are suspected for diabetes.