In a bid to prevent growing problem of non communicable diseases (NCDs), the Maharashtra public health department will soon send a proposal to Union health ministry regarding expansion of National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke (NPCDCS) from 17 districts at present to all the districts in the state.

NPCDCS which was launched in Wardha and Washind districts of the state in fiscal 2010-11, has been expanded to 17 districts in fiscal 2015-16.

Amravati, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Wardha, Washind, Nandurbar, Osmanabad, Parbhani, Satara, Sindhudurg, Thane, Pune, Nashik, Jalna, Nanded, Ratnagiri are the 17 districts in the state where NPCDCS has been implemented so far.

The objective of the programme is to reduce the morbidity and mortality due to NCDs (diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke) through opportunistic screening, treatment and follow up of people reporting at government health facilities in the state.

A senior health official said that the burden of NCDs are growing day-by-day in the state and the health department plans to step up the response to NCDs by expanding NPCDCS from 17 districts at present to all districts in coming months.

Under NPCDCS, 1,05,90,916 people aged 30 years and above screened for NCDs including diabetes, hypertension, cancer in 17 districts so far. Of them, 2,55,297 were diagnosed with diabetes, 4,09,324 with hypertension, 4127 with cancer, she informed.

Of them, 2,28025 people with diabetes, 3,67,454 people with hypertension, 4127 people with cancer are being treated at public health facilities.

People become susceptible to NCDs due to alcohol consumption, smoking, physical inactivity, stress among others. NPCDCS was launched to improve health and rein in these diseases, the official said.

She emphasised the need to address the high risk factors such as sedentary life style, unhealthy diet, tobacco and alcohol consumption by raising awareness on healthy lifestyle and habits among the people.

She added high blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease which affects one in three people globally. A significant chunk of people do not even know they suffer from high blood pressure. She further emphasised the need for action at the community level for prevention and control of this silent killer.