Govt to accelerate ‘non-communicable diseases’ screening in J&K

Srinagar, Aug 03: The J&K Government on Thursday issued a directive to Directors of Health Services in Kashmir and Jammu and asked them to expedite screening to detect Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and develop a comprehensive action plan.
The move comes following a meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary J&K on August 03, in which it was desired to celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and take up activities in a mission mode with high impact and visibility for the welfare of the general masses.
“In the run-up to the Independence Day, 2023 and to mark Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, NCD screening has been shortlisted as one of the important deliverables which needs to be carried with utmost zeal to reach out to the last mile for improving the general health care,” said an order issued by Deputy Secretary to Govt. addressed to Directors of Health Services in Kashmir and Jammu.
Both the directors have been directed to prepare a comprehensive action plan and organize NCD screening camps at all the Health Wellness Centers to generate public awareness and early detection of NCDs in the general public.
“The records of works done and photographic along with evidence shall be shared on daily basis in the departmental WhatsApp group (H&ME) and NCD Portal,” the directive said.
Following the orders, the Director Health Services Kashmir ordered all Chief Medical Officers to organize NCD screening camps at all Health & Wellness Centers to generate awareness and early detection of NCDs in the general population.
The order said the CMOs of Kashmir division have been tasked to submit work done and photographs/videos of activities to be carried out in various facilities in respective districts on H&ME WhatsApp group and NCD Portal on a daily basis.
Dr Junaid Kousar, Nodal Officer, NCDs, Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) said NCDs are the major cause of deaths worldwide but these diseases are preventable.
“Preventive and promotive healthcare is very important and screening plays a pivotal role. If the screening is done at an early stage then we can treat it in a better way,” he said.
There is a huge burden of hypertension, diabetes and other NCDs and these activities can help detect people early and make them aware of the same. The activities would be done under the National Program for Prevention & Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD).
Dr Junaid said in every district and sub-district hospital there are NCD clinics where diabetic and hypertension patients are registered and they are also given free-of-cost drugs.
“We also do awareness campaigns during which patients are encouraged to focus on preventions like avoiding smoking, avoiding salt etc. They are also encouraged to live an active lifestyle, take fruits and vegetables,” he said.
The four major NCDs are cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) and diabetes which share four behavioural risk factors – unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, and use of tobacco and alcohol.
“Due to an inactive lifestyle people are involved in NCDs and these are life-threatening if the disease goes uncontrolled. We have been promoting a healthy and active lifestyle over the years,” the Nodal Officer said.
Under the NP-NCD the department focuses on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, health promotion, early diagnosis, management and referral.
“We have been screening above 30 population. Now, we are going to start screening above 18 population. Generally, the people will be screened. If a patient is detected, they are given treatment including precautions,” Dr Junaid said.
At the health and wellness centres in the valley, the health workers visit door to door to do the screening of people and people are also counselled as well.
In May this year, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare renamed National Program for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) to National Program for Prevention & Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD).
As per the World Health Organization, NCDs share four major risk factors: tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets.
The epidemic of NCDs poses devastating health consequences for individuals, families and communities, and threatens to overwhelm health systems.
The socioeconomic costs associated with NCDs make the prevention and control of these diseases is a major development imperative for the 21st century.