Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 15: Secretary, Health and Medical Education (H&ME), Bhupinder Kumar, today chaired a meeting regarding prevalence and strategies to control life style diseases at Civil Secretariat here.
The meeting was attended by Mission Director, NHM, Principal of Medical Colleges along with HODs Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM) besides other officials.
A presentation was delivered by State Nodal Officer, NHM, on status of Population Based Screening for Non Communicable Disease (NCDs) and common cancers at Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) besides Opportunistic Screening for Non Communicable Disease (NCDs) under National Programme for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease (NPCDCS).
The meeting had discussion on prioritization of universal Screening for Non Communicable Disease and Common Cancers at both community and facility level.
Besides, a detailed deliberation was held among the participants on increasing Non Communicable Disease screening, Information Education and Communication (IEC) activities, upward and download referral, continuum of care and issues in implementation etc.
Secretary entrusted actionable tasks for Government Medical Colleges, Directorates and NHM with strict timelines for universal screening of 30 years and above population of J&K, for Hypertension, Diabetes and three Common Cancers (Oral, Breast, Cervical). It was emphasized that the screening of the population can be increased by undertaking opportunistic screening at Non Communicable Disease clinics and population based screening at operational Health and Wellness Centers.
It was decided in the meeting that Information Education and Communication (IEC) activities be carried out extensively throughout the UT of J&K so that targets can be achieved during current Financial Year.