Mon Sep 15 21:22:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the provided text and a news article based on it:
**Summary:**
A workshop held in Mumbai, organized by UNICEF India and the Press Information Bureau (PIB), has highlighted the growing crisis of childhood non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Maharashtra. The state is grappling with a “silent epidemic” affecting millions of children. Key issues include rising obesity, increasing cases of Type 1 diabetes, prevalent respiratory illnesses like asthma, a significant burden of mental health disorders, and the impact of congenital heart disease and sickle cell disease. Experts emphasize the need for early detection, prevention, improved access to care, and dedicated policies to address this emerging public health challenge. The rise in NCDs is linked to factors like poor diet, inactivity, pollution, and late diagnosis, further complicated by social and economic burdens on families. A partnership between AIIMS Nagpur, UNICEF, and the state government marks a first step towards building models for early detection and prevention.
**News Article:**
**Maharashtra Grapples with “Silent Epidemic” of Childhood Diseases**
**Mumbai, September 16, 2025** – Maharashtra is facing a rapidly escalating crisis of childhood non-communicable diseases (NCDs), described by experts as a “silent epidemic” threatening the health and well-being of the state’s children. The alarming trend was brought to light at a workshop organized by UNICEF India and the Press Information Bureau (PIB) in Mumbai on Monday.
Data presented at the workshop revealed that Maharashtra has over 6 million overweight children, including 2.4 million classified as obese. The state also sees approximately 2,000 new cases of Type 1 diabetes and 20,000 to 25,000 cases of congenital heart disease each year. Respiratory illnesses are widespread, affecting an estimated 3.3 million children with asthma, and a staggering 8.8 million children are facing various mental health disorders.
“Diseases once thought to affect only adults are increasingly showing up in children, and this should alarm all of us,” stated Dr. Nipun Vinayak, Secretary of Maharashtra’s Public Health Department. He emphasized the government’s commitment to expanding school screenings, ensuring access to medicines, and strengthening district-level care.
Experts point to poor diet, processed foods, lack of physical activity, excessive screen time, and late diagnosis as major contributing factors to the rise in these diseases. The financial burden on families, limited access to specialized care, and social stigma further exacerbate the problem.
“The burden is not just medical but social and financial. Parents are pushed into debt for recurring costs and children suffer isolation in schools,” said Sanjay Singh, UNICEF Maharashtra Chief. He announced the launch of a Paediatric NCD Clinic at AIIMS Nagpur, supported by UNICEF, to provide crucial outpatient services.
Dr. Prashant Joshi, executive director of AIIMS Nagpur, highlighted the need for a dedicated policy and standardized protocols for childhood NCDs, as the current National Programme for Prevention and Control of NCDs (NP-NCD) primarily focuses on adults. This partnership between AIIMS, UNICEF, and the state government represents a significant first step towards developing effective strategies for early detection, prevention, and healthier habits.
**[End of Article]**
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