For the first time, the BMC has started to train over 3,000 Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) who will be conducting door-to-door screening for diabetes and hypertension across Mumbai.
The move comes after the civic body learnt that the cases related to non-communicable disease are on the rise.
Last year, from November 16 to December 31, the state health department conducted a free screening program for 17.60 lakh people aged above 30. Of them, one lakh were diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension.
Currently, there are 35,000 patients with diabetes, who are registered with the civicrun health facilities and taking treatment. So far, the CHVs were taking records verbally from the citizens whether they are having diabetes and hypertension or not.
BMC executive health officer Dr Mangla Gomare said they are aiming for the early diagnosis of diabetes and hypertension amongst the patients who are unaware about it. For which training is being given to the CHVs who will be trained to check blood pressure, sugar levels and other aspects of health.
“With this initiative, we will be able to screen many citizens who actually have diabetes and hypertension. These CHVs will identify the suspects and direct them to the nearest dispensary for the confirmatory test,” she said.
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