Let us look at some sobering facts: India has the highest number of people living with diabetes in the world, with an estimated 212 million cases in 2022.

According to the World Health Organization, there are an estimated 77 million people in India above the age of 18 who are suffering from diabetes (type 2) and nearly 25 million are prediabetic (at a higher risk of developing diabetes in near future). That is probably the largest part of the non-communicable diseases (NCD) pie. Add to this the number of people with hypertension, stroke, cancer, cardiovascular disease and chronic lung disease and the actual position is truly staggering.

NCDs occur because of a combination of factors — primarily changing lifestyles, environmental factors, and genetics — and have grown to a huge proportion in the country. The messaging, therefore, is that interventions have to be immediate, and effective, both in terms of launching treatment as well as prevention strategies.

A session at The Hindu Huddle, which will be held in Bengaluru on May 9 and 10, titled “Non-communicable diseases: Trojan horse of India’s health”, seeks to discuss the multiple dimensions of India’s NCD ‘epidemic’ and evaluate strategies that may be deployed by the public and private health sectors to ensure that the tide is stemmed and that all those who already have NCDs have access to treatment and affordable healthcare. On the panel are three key experts from India who stand at various points of the care paradigm. They will share real-time experiences, and possible solutions for the way forward.

While Preetha Reddy, executive vice-chairperson, Apollo Hospitals, comes armed with the experience of being at the head of cutting-edge private care in the country, Anoop Mishra, chairman, Fortis C-DOC Hospital for Diabetes and Allied Sciences, brings to the table avant-garde research in the sector and experiences from close patient interactions. Chandrakanth Lahariya wears many hats, but will participate as someone who keenly watches the health systems of the country and a sagacious policy adviser.

The session will be moderated by Ramya Kannan, Health Editor and Chief of Bureau, Tamil Nadu, The Hindu.

If you have any questions that you would like the moderator to ask the panellists, write to huddle@thehindu.co.in