New Delhi, Aug 13: In a significant step towards strengthening India’s response to hypertension and other non-communicable diseases, IPE Global – Centre for Knowledge & Development, in collaboration with the Indian Medical Association and with support from Resolve to Save Lives, is launching the National Capacity Building Initiative – Engaging Physicians for Sodium Reduction in India, a new initiative to strengthen the prevention and management of hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease and other non-communicable diseases on 12 August 2026 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
Recognizing healthcare physicians as the most trusted source of health information for patients and communities, the initiative will equip physicians through webinars on evidence-based sodium reduction interventions and their integration into routine clinical practice. The webinars will also cover the appropriate and safe use of potassium-enriched Low-Sodium Salt Substitutes, supported by practical knowledge and tools to promote healthier dietary choices and reduce patients’ long-term cardiovascular risk. The training modules will be formally released at the national launch event.
Commenting on the significance of the initiative, Dr. Syed Imran Farooq, Executive Director, Resolve to Save Lives India, said:
“Excess sodium intake is one of the most significant, preventable drivers of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and premature death in India. Reducing sodium is one of the simplest, highest-impact ways to save lives. Although the evidence for sodium reduction is well established, lasting impact at the population level depends on evidence-based interventions becoming part of routine clinical practice. Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) is proud to support IPE Global – Centre for Knowledge & Development’s Engaging Physicians for Sodium Reduction in India initiative to help millions of Indians make healthier choices and lower their long-term risk of heart disease and stroke.”
Hypertension remains one of the leading modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease, stroke and chronic kidney disease. Although the World Health Organization recommends consuming less than 2 grams of sodium per day, Indians consume nearly twice this amount on average. High dietary sodium continues to be a major contributor to raised blood pressure. Reducing population-level sodium intake is recognised by WHO as one of the most cost-effective “best buy” interventions for preventing NCDs. It is a key component of India’s efforts to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases.
Developed in consultation with leading clinicians, technical experts, policy stakeholders and public health partners, the module brings together the latest scientific evidence and practical guidance on sodium reduction, including the appropriate use of potassium-enriched Low-Sodium Salt Substitutes, along with tools to support their integration into routine clinical practice and continuing medical education.
Highlighting the importance of implementation and collaboration, Mr. Himanshu Sikka, Chief Strategy and Diversification Officer and Practice Lead – Health, Nutrition and WASH, IPE Global, said:
“Evidence changes lives only when it changes practice. The burden of non-communicable diseases continues to rise in India, as highlighted by the National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6), underscoring the urgent need to strengthen preventive healthcare. At the same time, Indians consume nearly twice the recommended daily limit of sodium, making excess sodium a leading modifiable risk factor for hypertension, cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. Equipping physicians with the knowledge and practical tools to promote sodium reduction is critical to translating evidence into routine clinical care, ultimately contributing to improved health outcomes for millions of Indians.”
Emphasising the central role of physicians in preventive healthcare, Dr. Anil J Nayak, National President, Indian Medical Association, said:
“Doctors are uniquely positioned to influence health behaviours through routine patient interactions, making them powerful advocates for preventive healthcare. Integrating evidence-based sodium reduction interventions into routine clinical practice offers a practical opportunity to strengthen the prevention and management of hypertension and other noncommunicable diseases. The Indian Medical Association is pleased to partner with IPE Global Centre for Knowledge & Development and Resolve to Save Lives in this important national initiative. We encourage our network of medical professionals across the country to participate in this programme and equip themselves with the knowledge and practical tools to make sodium reduction, including the appropriate and safe use of potassium-enriched low-sodium salt substitutes, an integral part of patient care. Through collective action, the medical fraternity can play a pivotal role in reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases and improving population health.”
The National Capacity Building Initiative marks an important step towards strengthening preventive healthcare in India. By fostering stronger collaboration across government, the medical community and public health partners, it seeks to accelerate the adoption of evidence-based approaches to reducing excess sodium consumption and preventing hypertension and other non-communicable diseases.
As India intensifies its efforts to address the growing burden of cardiovascular diseases, the initiative has the potential to catalyse a sustained, physician-led movement for sodium reduction-strengthening health systems, advancing national public health priorities, and contributing to healthier lives for millions of Indians.