Srinagar, Nov 16: More than 117,194 people have been detected for diabetes in Kashmir valley in the past three years, as per the figures maintained by health department Kashmir.
The data, compiled during NCD screening, said that in the fiscal year 2021-22, a total of 317,400 individuals underwent screening, with 35,231 being identified as diabetic.
Similarly, during the year 2022-23, 426,649 people were screened, and 50,397 were diagnosed with diabetes. In the ongoing year, up to October 2023, 257,266 individuals have been screened, revealing 31,566 cases of diabetes.
Spokesperson, Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mir Mushtaq said under the National Non- Communicable Disease (NCD) Program they are mainly focusing on awareness and early screening.
“Early detection of the disease helps us to treat the patients in a better way. Awareness among people about changing their lifestyle and food habits is also done,” he said.
In August this year, the J&K Government issued a directive to Directors of Health Services in Kashmir and Jammu and had asked them to expedite screening to detect NCDs and develop a comprehensive action plan.
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 and patients are encouraged to focus on preventions like avoiding smoking, avoiding salt etc. They are also encouraged to live an active lifestyle, and eat 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.
“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).
