Odisha to launch diabetes screening programme in 10 districts

With diabetes emerging as a major health problem in the state, Odisha government has planned to screen all persons above 30 years of age, pregnant women, elderly persons, TB, HIV and AIDS patients and all suspected children for diabetes in selected 10 districts.
"The state government will launch NPCDCS (National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases and Stroke) programme this year. More than 46 lakh people will be screened for diabetes within a year," Health Minister Atanu S Nayak said.
The 10 selected districts are Cuttack, Puri, Ganjam, Khurda, Sambalpur, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh and Angul.

Those tested positive will be provided with free medicine and treatment, the minister said.
The programme has been implemented in five districts --Nawarangpur, Malkangiri, Bolangir, Nuapada and Koraput-- where around 29 lakh people have been screened.
Among them about 6 to 7 per cent are found with diabetes, Nayak said.

A guideline for screening of people for diabetes and hypertension has been sent to these districts and health workers and other paramedical staff would be trained about the use of required machines.
Treatment of diabetes is costly and the only way to avoid complications of the disease is its early detection and proper treatment with modification in lifestyle, Nayak said.

Dr P K B Patnaik, State Nodal officer, NPCDCS, said it is expected that nearly 3.2 lakh diabetes cases and 3.6 lakh hypertension cases will be detected during this screening programme.