The Health Ministry is launching a critical nationwide screening program targeting non-communicable diseases. Individuals over 30 can get free health checks for hypertension, diabetes, and various cancers at government facilities. The initiative comes as NCDs increasingly affect younger Indians, with two-thirds of patients aged between 26-59 years. This comprehensive health drive aims to raise awareness and early detection of potentially life-threatening conditions.
"Take charge of your health" - Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
(MoHFW) has announced a nationwide screening drive for non-communicable
diseases (NCDs) like high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer.
Key Points
1 Nationwide free screening for major non-communicable diseases
2 Targeting individuals above 30 years old
3 NCDs account for 66% of mortality in India
4 Screening available at government healthcare facilities
The screening drive will be held from February 20 to March 31.
The Health Ministry called on individuals above 30 years of age, to get
screened for these diseases from the nearest government healthcare facility.
"Take charge of your health -- join the nationwide
screening drive for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) from February 20th to
March 31st, and get screened for free at your nearest government healthcare
facility," said the MoHFW in a post on social media platform X.
"All government health facilities will conduct a nationwide
special screening drive for: hypertension, diabetes, oral, breast and cervical
cancer," it added.
The Ministry also listed the symptoms of diabetes that one
shouldn't ignore in an infographic along with the post. These include "blurred
vision, increased appetite, delayed healing of wounds, fatigue, constant
thirst, sudden weight loss, and frequent urination".
"Don't ignore these symptoms of diabetes!" the
Ministry said.
The screening drive comes even as the country is seeing a
significant rise in the NCDs. According to data from the Indian Council of
Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN), NCDs account for
66 per cent of all mortality in the country.
The burden of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic
respiratory diseases, and cancers has also become a significant public health
challenge, particularly among individuals over the age of 30.
Unlike the much-developed Western world, where NCDs typically
manifest later in life, India faces these diseases at a much younger age.
Alarmingly, two-thirds of Indians with NCDs fall within the
26-59 age group, the most productive years of their lives. Most of it is due to
unhealthy diet choices and other lifestyle practices.
A recent study by ICMR-NIN highlights that 56 per cent of the
disease burden is due to an unhealthy diet.
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the
athletes and other delegates at the 38th National Games held in Dehradun
emphasised the importance of a healthy body that is key to a healthy mind,
which in turn could lead to a healthy nation.
Talking about the Fit India Movement, he also spoke about the
importance of exercise and diet, with a focus on balanced intake. Stressing the
importance of reducing unhealthy fat and oil in food, he gave the novel
suggestion of reducing daily oil consumption by 10 per cent.
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