BHUBANESWAR: The National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) is set to be rolled out in four more districts of the State soon. The programme, aimed at preventing the spread of non-communicable diseases, was launched in Nuapada district earlier this year and is poised to be extended to Balangir, Koraput, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur. Orissa is the first State in the country to implement the NPCDCS. The remaining 25 districts would be included in the programme in phases during the 12th Plan. The assurance on this front was given by the State Government during the National Summit on NCDS, organised by the Centre and WHO recently. Under the programme, the entire population over the age of 30 would be screened for diabetes and hypertension along with other non-communicable diseases like cancer. Intensive care units and geriatric wards would be established at the district headquarters hospitals (DHHs) while cancer patients would be provided free treatment at the DHHs, sources said. Incidence of non-communicable diseases is increasing at an alarming pace so much so that they are projected to account for nine out of 10 deaths by 2020. In India the situation is turning grim as it is already proclaimed as the diabetes capital of the world with an estimated 51 million diabetic population. More than seven million new diabetics are added to the list every year. Orissa too, riding on fast-paced economic progress and urbanisation, has begun to emerge as a high incidence region for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. A study conducted by the ICMR has revealed that between 8 and 12 per cent of the urban population and 6 to 8 per cent of the rural populace are afflicted by diabetes. The programme apart from screening the population would undertake campaigns to prevent the spread of the diseases. People would be educated on avoiding the risk factors like tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy food habits and sedentary lifestyle. The Government has also initiated measures to strengthen health infrastructure by providing additional medical and paramedical staff, upgrading diagnostic facilities as well as enhancing free drug supply to the health sub-centres, PHCs, CHCs and DHHs.
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