In-depth Comparative Analysis of NPNCD and Kerala’s Amrutham Arogyam Telehealth Care Programmes in India

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases, have emerged as major public health challenges in India, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. The growing burden of NCDs, driven by changing lifestyles, urbanisation and ageing populations, calls for a structured, long-term response at both the national and state levels. In this context, India has implemented key initiatives to address these challenges, most notably the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases (NPNCD) and Amrutham Arogyam, a state-led programme in Kerala. The NPNCD is a comprehensive, nationwide initiative under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with a focus on the prevention, early detection, management and control of major NCDs with existing health systems. The programme supports infrastructure development in district hospitals and primary healthcare facilities, offering free diagnostic and treatment services. In contrast, Amrutham Arogyam is an innovative state-level initiative designed to address Kerala’s particularly high NCD burden. The programme adopts a decentralised, community-centred approach, strengthening district-level care through the establishment of facilities. Assistant surgeons are specially trained in comprehensive cancer and stroke management to extend specialised services to local populations. Amrutham Arogyam also offers telemedicine to bridge the vast gap between urban and rural healthcare access. This comparative evaluation of NPNCD and Amrutham Arogyam explores their goals, strategies, resources, reach, challenges and outcomes. By assessing the strengths and limitations of each, the study aims to derive insights that can inform future policies and contribute to more effective models for NCD prevention across India.