Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Sunday called for a nationwide people’s movement against cancer, diabetes, obesity and other lifestyle diseases, stressing that India’s response to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases must extend beyond hospitals and focus on prevention, early detection and evidence-based healthcare.
Speaking at the launch of UNBROKEN: My Battle with Cancer and the Will to Lead, authored by cancer survivor and former Senior Adviser in the Department of Science and Technology, Dr. Akhilesh Gupta, the Minister said combating lifestyle diseases requires greater public awareness and scientific communication to counter the spread of health misinformation.
Describing the book as more than a personal memoir, Singh said it chronicles a remarkable journey of resilience, courage and faith in science. He noted that the author’s experience offers valuable lessons for patients, doctors, researchers, administrators and young professionals, demonstrating how timely medical intervention and determination can help overcome serious health challenges.
Highlighting India’s changing disease profile, the Minister said cancer, diabetes, obesity, fatty liver disease and other metabolic disorders are rising rapidly across the country and are increasingly affecting younger people. He stressed that many forms of cancer are now treatable or manageable if diagnosed at an early stage, making regular screening and timely medical intervention essential to reducing mortality and improving treatment outcomes.
Singh urged citizens to adopt preventive healthcare as a way of life rather than a matter of personal choice. He said balanced nutrition, regular physical activity and periodic health check-ups should become part of everyday living if India is to effectively curb the growing burden of lifestyle-related diseases.
Expressing concern over the increasing spread of misinformation on nutrition, diet and disease management, the Minister warned that unverified advice and pseudoscientific claims often delay proper treatment and discourage patients from seeking qualified medical care. He emphasised the need for evidence-based health communication and scientific awareness so that people rely on credible medical advice while making healthcare decisions.
The Minister highlighted the government’s efforts to strengthen healthcare through scientific research and innovation, citing initiatives such as the Genome India Programme, indigenous biotechnology innovations and the development of affordable advanced therapies for diseases including cancer. He said India is increasingly generating “Indian data for Indian solutions” to deliver healthcare technologies suited to the country’s needs while making advanced treatment more accessible and affordable.
He also pointed to flagship initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, along with investments in biomedical research, biotechnology and healthcare infrastructure, saying these efforts are helping position India as a global hub for affordable healthcare innovation and biomanufacturing.
Calling for closer collaboration between the government, research institutions, academia, clinicians and industry, Singh said scientific discoveries must ultimately translate into affordable healthcare solutions that improve the quality of life of ordinary citizens.
Reiterating the importance of seeking timely treatment from qualified medical professionals, he said Dr. Gupta’s journey reinforces the value of resilience, self-belief and trust in science over unscientific practices.
Concluding his address, the Minister said the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 cannot be achieved without a healthy population. He urged every citizen to participate in a nationwide “Jan Andolan” against cancer, diabetes, obesity and other lifestyle diseases by adopting healthy habits, encouraging regular health screening, promoting scientific awareness and helping eliminate health misinformation. Preventing disease, he said, is a shared national responsibility that requires collective participation from every section of society.
