Denmark-based pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has announced a strategic collaboration with Apollo Clinics to launch a comprehensive obesity management programme across various cities in India, addressing the escalating burden of overweight and obesity through a structured, multi-tiered care approach.
Programme Framework and Implementation
The collaboration will integrate a comprehensive obesity care framework across select Apollo Clinics centres, combining clinical expertise with patient-centric tools and infrastructure support. The programme encompasses healthcare professional training through the WeLearn Obesity Education Series, in-clinic diagnostic and patient engagement tools, and capability-building modules specifically designed for dieticians, physiotherapists, and behavioural specialists.
Apollo Clinics will provide the necessary infrastructure, clinical pathways, and digital patient support tools to deliver evidence-based obesity care. The initiative also features patient awareness campaigns, including educational videos, booklets, and body composition analysis capabilities.
Digital Health Integration
A key component of the programme includes a QR-enabled platform that provides access to BMI and waist-to-height ratio calculators, connecting users to appropriate care pathways. This digital approach aims to enhance patient engagement and facilitate early intervention in obesity management.
Clinical Significance and Disease Burden
According to data shared by the collaborating organisations, obesity in India affects more than 250 million adults and is linked to over 230 health complications, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and obstructive sleep apnoea. The proportion of individuals with overweight and obesity varies significantly by state, ranging from 8 per cent to 50 per cent across both rural and urban populations, affecting both men and women.
The economic impact is substantial, with the economic burden of obesity-related diseases in India projected to reach ₹36,000 crores by 2030, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive intervention strategies.
Leadership Perspectives
"The prevalence of obesity continues to rise in India, yet clinical recognition remains inadequate," said Dr Maya Sharma, Vice President – Clinical, Medical & Regulatory at Novo Nordisk India. "Novo Nordisk aims to transform how obesity is understood, diagnosed and managed at the primary level across the nation. The mission of this partnership with Apollo Clinics is to equip healthcare professionals with robust clinical education, patient-centric tools and infrastructure support they need to deliver personalised and evidence-based healthcare interventions that go beyond symptom management."
Sriram Iyer, CEO of Apollo Health & Lifestyle, emphasised the partnership's alignment with the company's commitment to addressing complex health challenges. "This partnership reinforces our long-standing commitment to address the complex challenge of Obesity and weight related conditions in India and will help to address chronic lifestyle diseases with innovation and clinical excellence," Iyer stated.
Treatment Approach and Objectives
The programme integrates treatments, patient education, and systematic advocacy, aiming to recognise obesity as a chronic disease requiring comprehensive management. The collaboration seeks to provide healthcare providers and patients with tools for achieving long-term and sustainable health outcomes, moving beyond traditional symptom management approaches.
The initiative represents a significant step toward creating a care model that is accessible, sustainable, and truly patient-centric, leveraging Apollo Clinics' extensive network and Novo Nordisk's global expertise in obesity care to deliver structured, evidence-based support to patients living with obesity across India.
