64,856 people diagnosed with high BP: Dr Premchandra
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 17 2024:
Stressing on the importance of taking extreme care against hypertension, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) state nodal officer and State NCD Cell senior diabetologist Dr Y Premchandra said that of around 4.20 lakh people screened, 64,856 were found suffering from high blood pressure.
He then urged people to avail the free hypertension medicines being provided for free at health centres.
The 'World Hypertension Day' was observed across the state under the theme of 'Measure your blood pressure accurately, control it, live longer' by various health centres and organisations on Friday.
Organised as part of a national webinar, the day was observed as per the instruction of secretary of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with the main observance organised by NCD & CMHA Cell, NP-NCD, National Health Mission Manipur, at the complex of Directorate of Health Services, Lamphelpat, here.
The observance also set a target to screen all citizens of the state for hypertension by March, 2025 and control the ailment by around 80 per cent.
Presiding over the observance, Dr Y Premchandra remarked that hypertension is a silent killer.
Any failure in preventive care could lead to stroke, heart attack and kidney failure.
As such, there is the need to regularly check the BP to prevent health problems.
Individuals with high BP need to change their lifestyle and consume prescribed medicines regularly.
In this regard, the state government began screening for hypertension since October, 2021 under the NCD Cell and CMHA.
Of the 4.20 lakh people screened, 64856 were found with high BP and currently being treated at various health centres.
As hypertension is increasingly becoming a serious health issue in the state, one should refrain from consuming restricted food items, exercise regularly and walk for an hour for youth and half-an-hour for elderly patients, he stressed.
Dr Premchandra then said that in accordance with the protocol framed by the government last year, free diagnostic and free medicines are provided at all health centres and as such, urged the people to avail the benefits.
In all, 300 health personnel from different health centres participated in the observance virtually.
The World Hypertension Day was also observed by Senior Citizen Society, Khundrakpam AC at the Leibak community hall in Khundrakpam Makha Leikai on Friday.
In all, 250 people participated in a free medical camp organised on the occasion.
In his speech, Senior Citizen Society secretary Dr Ksh Kala urged for avoiding salty foods, intoxicants including alcohol and exercising at least half an hour daily, and further try to rest both mentally and physically.
Under the aegis of NHM Manipur, World Hypertension Day was observed by District NCD Cell, District Health Mission Society, Imphal West and UPHC, Langol Tarung at the relief camp opened in Meitei Langol on Friday.
The observance was attended by DHS, Imphal West CMO/DMD Dr L Joykumar as chief guest while NCD Cell, DHS Imphal West District Nodal Officer Dr Kinthanliu Golmei and DHS Imphal West district programme manager RK Bushosana were present guests of honour.
NCD Cell, District Health Society, Thoubal in collaboration with the district Hospital Thoubal also observed the day.
The observance was attended by Maternal Health, SHS state nodal officer Dr Meena Seram as chief guest and DHS Thoubal CMO/District Mission Director, Dr Y Nokul as president while State Health Society NCD state nodal officer Dr Y Premchandra and District Hospital, Thoubal MS Dr W Ruhinikumar were present as guests of honour.
NCD Cell Senapati also observed the day at CNO conference hall on Friday.
It was also observed at Athokpam Health and Wellness Center (HWC) Thoubal District; HWC Tekcham; PHC Haochong; PHC Khoupum and others.
A free health camp was also organised to mark the occasion.
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