Union Minister Jitendra Singh calls for mindset change to tackle thyroid disorders

Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Monday said that thyroid disorders must be viewed not merely as clinical conditions but as a national concern linked to human productivity, demographic strength, and the broader task of nation building.

Addressing leading endocrinologists and medical experts, he said undiagnosed and untreated thyroid conditions, particularly hypothyroidism, impact energy levels, workforce efficiency, and long-term national output, especially in a country where over 70 per cent of the population is below 40 years.

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Jitendra Singh was speaking at the Mid-Term Annual Conference of the Indian Thyroid Society (ITSCON) held at Chandigarh. The conference saw the participation of eminent endocrinologists, senior faculty members, nuclear medicine specialists, surgeons, and researchers from premier medical institutions across the country.

Appreciating the organisers for choosing Chandigarh as the venue, he described the city as an important academic and research centre in North India with strong institutional presence contributing to medical science.

Referring to the estimated 42 million Indians living with thyroid disorders, he said that the scale of the challenge demands proportionate research attention and public health response. He stated that hypothyroidism affects nearly 11 per cent of the adult population, with a substantial number remaining undiagnosed or untreated.

He drew attention to the serious implications of undetected hypothyroidism during pregnancy, which can lead to congenital hypothyroidism and irreversible neurodevelopmental consequences in children if not addressed through timely screening and intervention.

The minister observed that while diseases such as diabetes and obesity often receive significant focus, thyroid disorders remain relatively under-recognised despite their widespread prevalence. He called for stronger multidisciplinary coordination across life sciences, medical sciences, and allied sectors to address thyroid disorders in a comprehensive manner. He said that medical issues of this magnitude cannot be left to a single domain and require wider societal awareness and institutional collaboration.

Placing the discussion in the context of the government’s scientific reforms over the past decade, the minister said sustained efforts have been made to dismantle silo-based functioning and promote synergy among research institutions, academia, industry, and technology developers. He emphasised that innovation must move beyond laboratory research to market-linked application, and that industry participation from the early stages of research strengthens sustainability and impact.