The National Health Mission (NHM) recently implemented a screening initiative under the Centre’s Non-Communicable Disease Control Programmes in Madhya Pradesh.
The Challenges of Non-Communicable Diseases in Madhya Pradesh
Non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancer are presenting a significant challenge in the non-tribal rural sectors of Madhya Pradesh. These areas face rapidly increasing rates of disease incidence coupled with a lack of awareness. In contrast, urban areas exhibit higher awareness levels, leading to more patients receiving treatment despite a high incidence rate, and resulting in a relatively moderate disease burden.
However, the burden in rural areas grows due to low awareness. Despite these low levels of awareness, it is noteworthy that there was a lower incidence rate in the 89 tribal blocks of the state. Importantly, Madhya Pradesh has the country’s largest tribal population. Amongst the 100 districts with the highest prevalence of hypertension, 15 are located in Madhya Pradesh.
The Role of the India Hypertension Control Initiative
The World Health Organisation supports the India Hypertension Control Initiative, which provides services to patients over 18 suffering from various diseases across different districts in the state.
Understanding Non-Communicable Disease Control Programmes
These programmes incorporate various national initiatives, focusing individually on different non-communicable diseases. Examples include the National Mental Health Programme, National Oral Health Programme, and National Tobacco Control Programme. These programmes aim to identify non-communicable diseases at the Primary Health Centre level, ensuring district-level treatment and patient follow-ups for continued medication.
| Programme | Focus |
|---|---|
| National Mental Health Programme | Mental Health |
| National Oral Health Programme | Oral Health |
| National Tobacco Control Programme | Tobacco Control |
In addition, Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers visit households to draft family profiles and screen families for non-communicable diseases instead of requiring patients to visit a health centre.
India Hypertension Control Initiative: A Collaborative Effort
The India Hypertension Control Initiative is a collaborative venture comprising the Indian Council of Medical Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, State Governments, WHO, and Resolve to Save Lives; an initiative of Vital Strategies. Launched in November 2017, it initially covered 25 selected districts across Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana, and Maharashtra, expanding to 100 districts nationwide in 2019.
The project’s primary goal is to lower morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading cause of death in India, by improving high blood pressure control, a significant risk factor for these diseases among Indian adults. The initiative aims to create patient-centred services to enhance patient support, reduce reliance on larger hospitals, increase utilization of Health and Wellness Centres and Primary Health Centres, and provide regular health facility monitoring and prompt feedback to program managers to swiftly address any gaps.
