Project to screen adults for diabetes, BP

The Department of Health and Family Welfare will soon launch a diabetes screening programme for adults in view of the alarming spread of the lifestyle disorder.

Under the proposed programme, sugar levels and blood pressure of individuals aged above 30 years will be monitored regularly at primary health centres. The project will be launched in Kolar and four other districts on a pilot basis.

Disclosing the details of the programme on the sidelines of an event here on Friday, Health Minister U T Khader said the purpose is to screen people for free so that they can be made aware of their sugar levels and blood pressure and the importance of controlling them.

He was speaking at an event where Diabetacare - a city based diabetes centre launched a mobile app for diabetes care.

According to reports, while more than 65 million persons live with diabetes in India, over three million die of hypertension and related illnesses every year.

Dr Sanjiv Agarwal, founder of the Diabetacare told reporters that 10,000 individuals will be screened in Farangipet, a village near Mangalore in association with the Department of
Health and Family Welfare.

“ The camps will be held in the primary health centre. We will also educate them on managing the disease. If the model works out, we are looking forward at working with the government in helping people manage the diseases at an optimised cost.”

Dr Satish Chandra, General Manager (Operations and Projects), Diabetacare said they have built an app on android platform to monitor diabetes.  “ It is available free of cost for most mobile users. It monitors the blood glucose level of the patient and also sends regular updates and alerts to the patients, the doctor and also to an emergency contact of the patient,” he said.