9.61% Army JCOs/OR have Hypertension: PAC
It also observed that medical officers show a higher incidence of such conditions, attributing it to irregular working hours and early detection due to domain knowledge.
New Delhi: The Public Accounts Committee has noted that 9.61 per cent of Junior Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks (JCOs/OR) in the Indian Army were affected by hypertension, based on data up to December 31, 2023.
In its report tabled in Parliament, the Committee cited a submission by the Ministry of Defence stating that the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes among JCOs/OR stood at 9.61 per cent and 2.78 per cent respectively, which is nearly half of the corresponding figures in the general population.
The ministry said the lower prevalence compared to national averages — 18.3 per cent for hypertension and 4.9 per cent for diabetes as per National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) — reflects ongoing health promotion measures and preventive policies within the armed forces.
The panel, however, reiterated concerns over lifestyle diseases contributing to disability among personnel and sought comprehensive data, including root cause analysis and effectiveness of remedial measures.
It also observed that medical officers show a higher incidence of such conditions, attributing it to irregular working hours and early detection due to domain knowledge.
The Committee has asked the ministry to provide further details on disability patterns across ranks and the impact of measures taken to address lifestyle-related ailments.