The Union Health Ministry is set to launch a population-based prevention, screening, and control programme for five common non-communicable diseases (NCDs), an official statement said on Saturday. The programme that is being launched on February 4 will focus on five NCDs hypertension, diabetes, and cancers of oral cavity, breast, and cervix. In an official statement Ministry said that in the first phase, the population-based screening component will be rolled out in 100 districts in 32 states and UTs with about 1,000 sub-centres undertaking to screen before March 31.
The statement noted that ASHAs will also be capturing information on major risk factors so that people at risk could be counseled on leading healthy lifestyles to prevent an onset of NCDs. The statement added that in subsequent phases, chronic obstructive respiratory diseases will be included and the programme will be…
