Hyderabad: Telangana’s latest health report card offers both reasons for optimism and signals for concern.
The findings from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) reveal a state that has made substantial gains in maternal healthcare, child nutrition, financial protection and women’s empowerment. At the same time, rising rates of diabetes, obesity, hypertension and caesarean deliveries are emerging as significant public health challenges that could shape the state’s healthcare priorities in the years ahead.
Taken together, the numbers tell a story that is becoming increasingly familiar across India – success in tackling traditional health problems is being accompanied by the rapid rise of lifestyle-related diseases.
One of Telangana’s strongest achievements lies in maternal healthcare.
Institutional deliveries have become almost universal, with nearly all births taking place in hospitals or healthcare facilities. Early antenatal care has improved considerably, and a larger proportion of pregnant women are now receiving iron and folic acid supplementation compared to previous years. These improvements indicate stronger access to healthcare services and better awareness among expectant mothers.
Yet alongside these gains is a statistic that continues to attract attention from public health experts.
More than six out of every ten births in Telangana now take place through caesarean section. The figure is significantly higher in urban areas and even more pronounced in private hospitals. While caesarean procedures are often lifesaving when medically necessary, health experts have repeatedly debated whether very high rates indicate changing medical practices, patient preferences or broader systemic factors.
For many young families, childbirth is increasingly becoming a planned medical procedure rather than a natural process, reflecting broader shifts in healthcare delivery and expectations.
The picture is more encouraging when it comes to child nutrition.
The proportion of children suffering from stunting, a key indicator of chronic undernutrition, has declined noticeably. Severe wasting has also reduced, suggesting improvements in nutritional interventions and maternal care. These gains are particularly significant because child nutrition often serves as an indicator of broader social and economic well-being.
Vaccination coverage remains relatively strong, and the uptake of newer vaccines has increased substantially over the years.
However, nutrition experts point to another challenge hidden within the data.
Only a small proportion of children between six and twenty-three months receive what is considered an adequate diet. This suggests that while access to food may have improved, dietary diversity and nutritional quality remain concerns for many families.
Perhaps the most striking findings of the survey relate to non-communicable diseases.
Diabetes is rising rapidly across Telangana.
Nearly one in five adult women and almost one in four adult men now have high blood sugar levels or are receiving treatment for diabetes. The increase compared with previous surveys highlights a growing health challenge that is no longer confined to older populations or metropolitan areas.
Doctors have repeatedly warned that changing lifestyles, sedentary habits, increased consumption of processed foods and reduced physical activity are contributing to the trend.
Closely linked to this is the growing prevalence of obesity.
More than one-third of adults in Telangana are now classified as overweight or obese. Such numbers would have been difficult to imagine a generation ago when undernutrition was considered the dominant concern in many parts of the country. Today, the state faces the dual burden of managing both nutritional deficiencies and lifestyle-related health risks.
Hypertension has also emerged as a significant concern, particularly among men.
Public health experts point out that these conditions often develop silently and remain undiagnosed for years, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney-related complications later in life.
The survey also highlights important social changes.
Child marriage has declined, reflecting greater educational opportunities and awareness. At the same time, adolescent pregnancy remains a concern, particularly in certain rural areas where social and economic factors continue to influence early motherhood.
Another notable success story is the expansion of health insurance coverage.
A large majority of households now have access to some form of health insurance or health financing support. Schemes such as Aarogyasri have played a significant role in reducing financial barriers to treatment and improving access to healthcare services.
Women’s empowerment indicators have also improved. More women now operate their own bank accounts, and internet access among women has increased dramatically over the past few years. These changes reflect broader social transformation beyond healthcare alone.
Yet challenges remain.
While spousal violence has declined, the figures remain higher than national averages, particularly in rural areas. This serves as a reminder that health outcomes are closely connected to social conditions and gender equality.
The NFHS-6 findings ultimately present a complex but important message.
Telangana has made undeniable progress in improving access to healthcare, reducing child malnutrition and expanding financial protection. However, the state now faces a new generation of health challenges driven by lifestyle changes, urbanisation and changing patterns of disease.
The next phase of public health policy may therefore require a shift in focus – from not only ensuring access to healthcare, but also encouraging healthier lifestyles, preventive screening, nutritional awareness and long-term management of chronic diseases.
The state’s health journey is moving forward.
The challenge now is ensuring that progress in one area is not overshadowed by emerging risks in another.
