Non-Communicable diseases (NCDs)
which are Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) such as heart attacks and stroke,
Diabetes, Chronic Respiratory Diseases (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases
and Asthma) and Cancer inter alia account for over 60% of all mortality in
India. Of these, nearly 55% are premature mortality. This imposes a financial
and social cost on families and the country. According to the World Economic
Forum, India stands to lose $ 4.58 trillion (Rs 311.94 trillion between 2012 and
2030 due to non-communicable diseases.
Since these conditions do not
exhibit symptoms until complications set in, it is essential to detect them
early. Early detection of NCDs not only enables onset of treatment but
prevents high financial costs and suffering. For some cancers, survival rates
are good when they are detected and treated in the early stages. Screening for
these conditions, which can be undertaken at the level of the sub centre or
Primary health Centres helps early detection and also serves to raise health
awareness among people to lead healthy lifestyles. Given that primary health
care, including prevention and health promotion can lead to improved health and
developmental outcomes at much lower cost, the Ministry is now expanding access
to prevention and primary care services,
As part of the National Health
Mission, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is launching population
based prevention, screening and control programme for five common
non-communicable diseases, namely Hypertension, Diabetes, and Cancers of oral
cavity, breast and cervix. On February 4th coinciding with World Cancer Day, Union
Health and Family Welfare Minster is expected to launch the programme. The training
of frontline workers- the ASHA and ANM which will be initiated and in some
sub-centres, population based screening will also start. Detailed protocols for
treatment, referrals and follow-up on these disease conditions will be
provided.
In the first phase, the
population based screening component will be rolled out in 100 districts in 32
states and UTs with about 1000 sub-centres undertaking screening before March
31st of this year. ASHAs will also be capturing information on major
risk factors so that persons at risk could be counselled on leading healthy
lifestyles to prevent onset of NCDs. In subsequent phases, Chronic Obstructive
Respiratory diseases will be included and the programme will be scaled up to
cover other districts. Support to states will also be provided for community
health promotion and prevention efforts, and referral and treatment.
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SK