Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh on Sunday underscored the need to recognise thyroid disorders as a national public health and productivity challenge, calling for stronger awareness, early detection, and coordinated research partnerships to address the growing burden.
Addresing the Mid-Term Annual Conference of the Indian Thyroid Society (ITSCON) in Chandigarh, Dr Singh highlighted that thyroid disorders should not be viewed merely as clinical conditions but as issues directly linked to workforce efficiency, demographic strength, and long-term nation building. He highlighted that undiagnosed and untreated thyroid conditions, particularly hypothyroidism, adversely affect energy levels, cognitive function, and productivity—an issue of particular concern for India, where over 70 percent of the population is below 40 years of age.
Citing estimates that nearly 42 million Indians live with thyroid disorders, the Minister said the scale of the problem demands a proportionate public health and research response. He noted that hypothyroidism affects around 11 percent of the adult population, with a significant proportion remaining undiagnosed or untreated. Special attention was drawn to the risks of undetected hypothyroidism during pregnancy, which can lead to congenital hypothyroidism and irreversible neurodevelopmental impairment in children if timely screening and intervention are not undertaken.
Dr Singh observed that despite their high prevalence, thyroid disorders receive comparatively less public and policy attention than other non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and obesity. He called for a multidisciplinary approach involving life sciences, clinical medicine, public health systems, and allied sectors, stressing that challenges of this magnitude cannot be addressed within isolated domains.
Placing thyroid health within the broader context of government-led scientific and healthcare reforms over the past decade, the Minister said sustained efforts have been made to break institutional silos and promote collaboration among academia, research institutions, industry, and technology developers.
He emphasised that innovation must translate from laboratory research to real-world application, with industry engagement playing a critical role from early stages to ensure scalability and impact.
Referring to recent Union Budget initiatives, Dr Singh highlighted the Biopharma Shakti Mission, backed by significant financial allocation, aimed at strengthening India’s indigenous biopharmaceutical and medical technology ecosystem. He cited milestones such as the development of India’s first indigenously developed antibiotic effective against resistant infections, progress in gene therapy trials for haemophilia, and the rollout of the DNA vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic as evidence of India’s growing capacity to deliver affordable therapeutics and diagnostics.
The Minister also spoke about the establishment of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and the ₹1 lakh crore Research Development and Innovation framework, designed to deepen private sector and philanthropic participation in research.
He pointed to the rapid expansion of India’s startup ecosystem, rising patent filings by Indian residents, and increased output of high-impact scientific publications as indicators of a transformed research and innovation landscape.
Highlighting the critical role of the medical community, Dr Singh described doctors as key contributors to national development, noting that early diagnosis, neonatal screening, and effective treatment directly shape India’s future human capital.
He urged the Indian Thyroid Society and the wider medical fraternity to intensify awareness campaigns, strengthen research collaboration, and integrate early detection strategies into mainstream healthcare delivery.
He concluded by expressing confidence that with collective effort, scientific integration, and forward-looking partnerships, India can effectively address the growing burden of thyroid disorders and other non-communicable diseases while advancing towards a resilient and self-reliant healthcare ecosystem.
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