In order to intensify hypertension control activities in the state as directed by Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh, Punjab Health and Family Welfare department released Hypertension and Diabetes Control Protocol during a state level orientation training on Indian Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) organised here on Friday.
The protocol was jointly released by Mission Director National Health Mission Punjab Dr Abhinav Trikha and Director Health and Family Welfare Department Punjab Dr Adarshpal Kaur. On this occasion, the programme was also launched in five more districts of the state. Notably, presently 10 Districts of Punjab are being covered under this initiative.
Now IHCI will be implemented in five more districts, taking the total districts to 15 in the state. Addressing the workshop Dr. Abhinav Trikha said that India is now the third largest economy in the world and its disease pattern has also changed from communicable diseases to the non communicable diseases, which is the result of unhealthy lifestyle habits.
Hypertension is the leading cause of deaths globally accounting for approximately 10.5 Million Deaths and this is the largest preventable risk factor, he said, while adding that prevalence of Hypertension in Punjab is 37.7 (NFHS-5) which shows that a considerably large number of Punjab's population is affected with hypertension.
Emphasising on preventive and promotive health, Dr Trikha also highlighted that Punjab has successfully implemented IHCI as 62% of patients have been reported with control of BP. He exhorted the participants to change their own behaviour by inculcating healthy lifestyle habits and work together to spread such habits in the masses.
Use of Millets in our diet and shunning of tobacco and alcohol should also be promoted, he said. Dr Adrshpal Kaur emphasised that everyone in the department from medical officer to the ASHA level should be conversant with the IHCI.
She asked the staff to intensify IEC activities regarding this initiative to motivate the concerned patient to take medicine regularly. Assistant Director cum State Program Officer NP-NCD Dr Sandeep Singh Gill informed that considering the higher prevalence of hypertension, Punjab was the first state to implement Indian Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) in the first Phase in January-2018.
He said that the Key activities undertaken in IHCI include release of Hypertension Treatment Protocol, Drug Availability, Registration near door step, Treatment outcome- follow up by ASHA, Task Sharing-Decentralization, Monitoring- Informatics, review meetings.
During the workshop SMO Kalanaur Dr Lakhwinder Singh was honoured for implementing a successful model of IHCI in his block. Blood Pressure measurement demo, treatment protocols discussion and field experiences were shared by the participants.
In this training workshop PO(NP-NCD) Dr. Ashu,State Consultant IHCI Dr. Navneet, CVHOs Dr. Bidisha, Dr. Trishna, DFWOs, STSs and DPMs from districts participated.