From Numbers to Care: The Increasing Burden of Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus at Primary Health Centers in Rural India – Insights from NFHS-5

Abstract Non – Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of global mortality and disability. Hypertension leading to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and diabetes are major contributors to this burden. This study aims to assess the burden of hypertension and diabetes mellitus in rural Primary Health Centers (PHCs) in India. Secondary research was conducted through data extraction from National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) report and Rural Health Statistics 2021-22. This data was utilized to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes as well as number of PHCs in rural areas. Approximately 138 million individuals in rural areas of India are estimated to have hypertension, while around 85 million are expected to have diabetes. With 24,935 functioning PHCs in rural areas, each PHC is tasked with caring for 5,534 hypertensive patients and 3,408 individuals with diabetes among those aged 15 years and above. Analysis of the available secondary data shows a dearth of human resources and other logistics in rural PHCs. To effectively manage the substantial patient load of hypertension and diabetes mellitus at these centers, there is a critical need to ensure adequate infrastructure, diagnostic tools and trained staff. Such measures would aid in enhancing the overall healthcare delivery in NCDs, fostering better patient outcomes, and reducing the long-term complications associated with these conditions.