The government is launching a month-long nationwide campaign against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) starting this Thursday, said Bal Krishna Khand, joint minister of health and population. With NCDs accounting for almost 80% of the total deaths in the country, the initiative is an effort to create awareness about the increasing threat of NCDs and the deaths due to injuries and accidents.
The plan includes free health screening at local government-run health institutions. These include tests for high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney function and body mass index (BMI). The aim is to allow people to detect health risks as early as possible, and then avoid them.
“Early detection is extremely important,” said Dr. Pomawati Thapa, chief of the Mental Health Section, in the statement. “Many patients self-treat as disease worsens and it is almost always too late,” she said. “In general, there are at least some instances where if a problem can be detected when it is still minor, there is a solution before it enters a serious, expensive mode of treat.”
Hypertension, diabetes, heart attack, cervical cancer, etc. have emerged as the most important non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that have killed people in recent years.
But public health experts say free testing alone is insufficient. They urge authorities to promote changes in lifestyle habits, including healthier diets, increased exercise and less tobacco and alcohol use. “Prevention is part of the key,” Dr. Thapa said. “Awareness and prompt action can save lives and ease the burden of disease.”
It empowers individuals to manage their health and know what steps they can take to reduce their risk of NCDs.” Since screenings are covered at no cost and education surrounding them is emphasized, officials think it can make a big public health impact.
