India’s Rising Liver Disease and Diabetes Cases Linked to Metabolic Disorders: Jitendra Singh
New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh on Friday said India’s growing burden of liver disease and the sharp rise in Type-2 diabetes are part of a larger metabolic health crisis, calling for a mission-mode public awareness campaign focused on prevention and healthy lifestyles.
Addressing the third anniversary of the Liver & Metabolic Disease Network (InFLiMeN) at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) in New Delhi, the minister said conditions such as fatty liver disease, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and insulin resistance are closely interconnected and are increasingly affecting younger Indians.
He said unhealthy eating habits, sedentary lifestyles, inadequate sleep, stress and environmental pollution are placing growing pressure on the liver, despite it being one of the body’s most resilient organs. He stressed that tackling these preventable risk factors must become a national priority.
Dr. Singh highlighted that India’s unique genetic profile and higher prevalence of central obesity make its population more vulnerable to metabolic disorders, even among people with relatively lower body mass index (BMI). He called for greater emphasis on Indian research, indigenous data and locally developed solutions.
The minister also welcomed ILBS’s initiative to establish a National Liver Biobank and stressed the need for affordable early diagnostic technologies, community-level screening and indigenous biomarkers for timely detection of liver diseases.
Emphasising the role of biotechnology, genomics and artificial intelligence in precision medicine, he said scientific innovation must be complemented by widespread public awareness and behavioural change. He urged healthcare professionals, researchers, educational institutions and the media to work together to promote healthy lifestyles and combat misinformation on nutrition and lifestyle diseases.
Dr. Singh said reducing the burden of diabetes and liver diseases is essential for building a healthier population and achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
