After cancer, diabetes screening in Punjab

After cancer, now Punjab will take on other non-communicable diseases, including diabetes and hypertension.

After cancer, now Punjab will take on other non-communicable diseases, including diabetes and hypertension.

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Officials in the health department have said that the Punjab government will do a door-to-door survey to gauge the incidence of hypertension and diabetes in the population. "The pilot run will be in Nawanshahr district," said Dr TS Bahl, state programme officer of non-communicable diseases.

The health department workers do test the blood-sugar level and blood pressure of all members of each household in the state and refer affected people to district hospitals for treatment. The government medical colleges, district hospitals, community health centres, and non-government organisations will assist the programme.

The identified patients will get comprehensive indoor patient, outpatient, and home-based care. The health department figures suggest that Punjab has more than 10% population living with diabetes.