Mumbai : A fresh health assessment has revealed that 15.6% of Mumbai’s population is in the pre-diabetic stage, raising concerns over the city’s growing vulnerability to lifestyle diseases.
Responding to the alarming trend, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has intensified its efforts to combat non-communicable diseases. Over the past three years, municipal health centres have screened more than 5.59 lakh citizens for diabetes and hypertension.
Low Awareness Under Salt-Sugar Campaign 2025
Launched across 24 administrative wards, the Salt-Sugar Campaign 2025 found that only 27% of residents are aware of the risks linked to excessive sugar consumption. Officials noted that inactive lifestyles, unhealthy eating habits, and rapid urbanisation are driving increases in diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
Type 1 Diabetes Rising Among Youth
Adding to the concern, Type 1 diabetes cases are growing among children and adolescents. According to the International Diabetes Federation’s 2019 data, around 1,28,500 young individuals in India live with Type 1 diabetes, underscoring the need for early intervention.
BMC Pushes Healthy Campus Initiative
Marking World Diabetes Day 2025, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani encouraged students to adopt nutritious eating habits and urged educational institutions to join the Healthy Campus Initiative. More than 100 colleges will now run awareness activities under the theme “Eat Healthy, Stay Healthy, Stay Happy.” This includes introducing healthy canteen guidelines, digital awareness drives, healthy food festivals, and training student Nutrition Ambassadors.
Infrastructure Strengthened for Rising Cases
Municipal hospitals and clinics continue to manage increasing patient loads, with nearly 1.20 lakh individuals receiving diabetes care at dispensaries and Aapla Dawakhana clinics. Twenty-six hospitals have dedicated NCD Corners for screening people above 30, and over 1.59 lakh diabetic patients have received personalised diet counselling. In September alone, more than 12,000 citizens benefited from 400 lifestyle guidance sessions.
BMC Urges Regular Screening, Reduced Sugar Intake
The civic body has appealed to residents to undergo periodic screening, cut down on sugar consumption, and check food labels before purchasing packaged items, emphasising that early lifestyle changes are key to preventing diabetes.
