Soon all the people in the district above the age of 30 will be able to know whether they are afflicted with any lifestyle diseases like diabetes or hypertension. The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) is all set to start lifestyle clinics in the district. Once these clinics are launched, diagnosis camps of lifestyle diseases will be organised at the sub-centres of each primary health centres in the district. “We have imparted training to the medical officers, field staff and Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers in this regard. They will organise detection camps at the sub-centres,” NRHM district manager Dr K V Beena said. The ASHA workers will prepare a checklist of people above 30 years which will include their family history of hypertension, diabetes, cardiac ailments or other diseases. Based on the checklist, detection camps will be organised. The NRHM has granted Rs 2 crore for implementing the programme in the state. Of the Rs 2 crore, Ernakulam district will get Rs 15 lakh for the purpose. The sub-centre with around 5,000 population in its limits will organise medical camps. The officials at the sub-centres will register the people coming in for screening. Those diagnosed with any of the lifestyle diseases will be given advice on disease management and preventive medicine. “The programme is a three-pronged one. As the people lack proper exercises, we lay emphasis on exercise. With the fast lifestyle, people depend more on fast food. That is why we provide advice on diet modifications. Substance abuse is another issue we set our focus on,” Dr K V Beena added. Those diagnosed with lifestyle diseases will also be provided with medicines. It is for diagnosis and initial treatment that the sub-centres are being used. For the follow-up on the treatment, the patients can rely on the nearest PHC.
Source : IBN Live
