Srinagar, Mar 15: In response to the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the valley, the Health Department is planning to expand its screening efforts. The department aims to hold screening camps in major hospitals to detect NCDs such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and respiratory illnesses early.
Dr. Mir Mushtaq, spokesperson for the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, emphasized the importance of preventive and promotive healthcare, stating that screening plays a pivotal role in detecting patients early and treating them effectively.
Nodal Officer for NCDs, Dr. Junaid Kousar, explained that NCDs are preventable and largely caused by an inactive lifestyle. The Health Department has been promoting healthy and active lifestyles for years, and now aims to screen the population above the age of 18.
Under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS), the department is focused on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, health promotion, early diagnosis, management, and referral.
Health workers visit door to door in the valley to screen people and provide counseling. NCD clinics are also available in district and sub-district hospitals.
According to an official from NHM J&K, over 37.54 lakh individuals have been assessed for risk factors of NCDs, with 23.5 lakh individuals screened and approximately 3.41 lakh examined in the last three months alone.
The prevention and control of NCDs is a major development imperative for the 21st century, as the socioeconomic costs associated with these diseases are substantial and threaten to overwhelm health systems.
