Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, has called for a nationwide mission to tackle the growing burden of liver and metabolic diseases, warning that conditions such as fatty liver disease, Type-2 diabetes, hypertension and obesity are increasingly affecting younger Indians and require a strong preventive healthcare approach.
Speaking at the third anniversary celebration of the Liver & Metabolic Disease Network (InFLiMeN) at the Institute of Liver & Biliary Sciences (ILBS) in New Delhi, the Minister said the country is facing a “metabolic nexus” where several lifestyle-related disorders are closely interconnected and often lead to one another. He stressed that addressing these diseases is no longer just a medical challenge but a national priority requiring coordinated efforts from scientists, healthcare professionals, policymakers and the public.
InFLiMeN, supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), was established to strengthen collaborative research, promote innovation, improve early diagnosis and support evidence-based policymaking to combat the rising incidence of liver and metabolic diseases in India.
The event brought together leading experts, including former NITI Aayog Member Dr. Vinod Paul, French scientific cooperation representative Dr. Silviane Pied, ILBS Vice Chancellor Prof. Mridul Kumar Daga and ILBS Director Prof. Shiv Kumar Sarin, along with clinicians, researchers and scientists from across the country.
Rising Burden Among Young Indians
Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed concern over the changing pattern of metabolic diseases in India, noting that illnesses traditionally associated with middle-aged and elderly populations are now increasingly being diagnosed among young adults and even adolescents.
He said this shift highlights the urgent need to move away from a healthcare system focused primarily on treatment towards one that prioritises prevention, early detection and healthier lifestyles. According to the Minister, public awareness campaigns and community-level interventions must play a central role in reducing the future disease burden.
The Minister also linked his remarks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on tackling obesity and lifestyle disorders through preventive healthcare and behavioural change.
India’s Unique Metabolic Challenges
Highlighting India’s specific health profile, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the Indian population possesses certain genetic and physiological characteristics that increase susceptibility to diabetes, fatty liver disease and cardiovascular disorders.
He pointed out that many Indians develop metabolic diseases despite having comparatively lower Body Mass Index (BMI), owing to factors such as central obesity and the distinct Indian phenotype. These differences, he said, underline the importance of generating Indian research and developing healthcare solutions tailored to the country’s population instead of relying solely on international studies.
The Minister stressed that understanding India’s disease patterns through indigenous research would help design more effective diagnostic tools, treatment strategies and preventive measures.
Focus on Early Diagnosis and Scientific Innovation
Dr. Jitendra Singh praised ILBS for establishing a National Liver Biobank, describing it as an important step towards advancing liver disease research. He said there is an urgent need to develop affordable technologies capable of detecting liver disorders at an early stage before irreversible damage occurs.
He also called for community-level screening programmes and the development of indigenous biomarkers that can improve early diagnosis and make preventive healthcare more accessible across the country.
According to the Minister, India’s rapidly expanding biotechnology ecosystem, Genome Mission and large-scale gene sequencing initiatives offer unprecedented opportunities to better understand metabolic diseases. Advances in genomics, biotechnology and Artificial Intelligence, he said, are paving the way for precision medicine, enabling treatments customised to an individual’s genetic makeup, lifestyle and environmental factors.
Public Awareness Key to Success
While highlighting scientific progress, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasised that technology alone cannot solve the growing health challenge without widespread behavioural change.
He urged healthcare professionals, researchers, educational institutions, civil society organisations and the media to work together in promoting scientifically validated health practices and combating misinformation related to nutrition, obesity and lifestyle diseases.
The Minister observed that unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, inadequate sleep, stress and environmental pollution are placing increasing pressure on the liver, despite it being one of the body’s most resilient and regenerative organs. Addressing these preventable risk factors, he said, should become an integral component of India’s public health strategy.
Concluding his address, Dr. Jitendra Singh said reducing the burden of diabetes, fatty liver disease and other metabolic disorders is essential for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. A healthier population, particularly among the country’s youth, would strengthen India’s human capital, improve productivity and contribute significantly to long-term national development.
Author: Shivam
Shivam Dwivedi is a senior journalist with extensive experience in research-driven journalism, policy communication, and multi-platform storytelling. His areas of interest include international relations, defence, science & technology, education, urban development, agriculture, spirituality, and environmental sustainability. His work focuses on in-depth analysis, public discourse, and impactful narratives across governance and development sectors, with a strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Contact: [email protected]
