Doctors call for stepping up the response to non-communicable diseases on the eve of World Health Day

Hetal Vyas / TNN / Apr 6, 2013, 20:02 IST

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To commemorate the World Health Day, the WHO Country Office for India and the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bangalore, with the support of Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka organized a state-level consultation on Saturday.

Doctors call for stepping up the response to non-communicable diseases on the eve of World Health Day

BANGALORE: To commemorate the World Health Day, the WHO Country Office for India and the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research (SJICR), Bangalore, with the support of Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka organized a state-level consultation on Saturday.
The forum urged for a greater attention to high blood pressure as a part of the comprehensive strategy to address noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
The prevalence of NCDs such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancers is increasing in the country. High blood pressure is today a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In 2008, 24% of all deaths in India were from cardiovascular diseases.
Highlighting the reasons for choosing "High Blood Pressure" as the theme for World Health Day 2013, Dr Nata Menabde, WHO Representative to India, said, "High blood pressure affects one in three adults worldwide and leads to more than nine million deaths globally every year. Many people do not know they have it. Prevention and control of this silent killer requires action by the whole society."

"In light of the increasing disease burden attributable to NCDs in India, it is essential that NCDs (including high blood pressure) are addressed in health system strengthening efforts for universal health coverage. In many countries, including India, the out-of-pocket expenditures incurred for NCDs are high, contributing to the impoverishment of households and hitting the poor the worst. Medicines for these chronic diseases account for a large portion of expenditures," she added.

A key message of the deliberations was that high blood pressure is both preventable and treatable, and that early detection is vital. The consultation emphasized the need for an environment conducive to healthy lifestyles, in which it is easier for all people to make choices that promote their health. Such an environment reduces exposure to the risk factors for NCDs, including food containing too much salt, sugar and fat; inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables; harmful use of alcohol; consumption of tobacco and insufficient physical activity.
Present on the occasion were Mr RR Jannu IAS, Mission Director, NRHM, Government of Karnataka; Dr Trilok Chandra, IAS, Additional Commissioner (Health), Bruhat Banglaore Mahanagara Palike; Dr CN Manjunath, Director, SJICR, and Dr BN Dhanya Kumar, Director of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka. The consultation was also attended by representatives from medical colleges, Indian Institute of Public Health, and civil society.

About the Author

Hetal Vyas

Hetal Vyas has been covering legal news since 2005 and joined The Times of India in September 2010. She is currently Principal Correspondent, Legal, and covers the Bombay High Court for the Metro team.

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