Patiala, March 16 -- Regarding achieving the screening target under the National Programme for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Punjab is learnt to have continuously been underperforming.

Punjab is at the 27th place among 28 states and eight union territories in the country. Ironically, the state could achieve only 10% of the given target until March 12, leaving the remaining target almost impossible up to March 31- a cut-off date for the year 2024-25. The ministry of health and family welfare has directed Punjab to achieve the target by March 31, 2025.

According to the Union government data, a copy of which is with HT, Telangana, Ladakh, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat are among the best-performing states and...