The Government Spokesperson said that the Government of Himachal Pradesh has started the Mukhyamantri Nirog Yojna for the annual screening of the population above 18 years of age in the state. He said that ten Nirog clinics have been established across the state in 2021-2021, at RH Bilaspur, ZH Dharamshala, RH Recong Peo, RH Kullu, ZH Mandi, RH Solan, RH Una, CH Rampur, CH Palampur, CH Paonta Sahib. In these clinics the trained doctors, staff nurse and support staff are screening the population for non-communicable diseases and are also providing the referrals. The Government Spokesperson said that under this scheme, the risk assessment of nearly 24 lakh individuals (56%) has been done. Furthermore, 8.5 lakh individuals have been screened for non- communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension and cancer, beneath the ambit of this yojna.
The Government Spokesperson said that the Indian Council of Medical Research study has revealed that the prevalence of diabetes in the State of Himachal Pradesh is 11.5%, which is higher than the National average of 9.8%. He added that about 50,000 diabetic patients have been identified under the scheme and are on follow up across the State. The Government Spokesperson informed that to prevent people from developing the non-communicable disease, apart from screening of the disease, the frontline workers and ASHA counsel people to adopt healthy diet, perform physical activity, prevent harmful use of alcohol and tobacco and do weight reduction. He added that timely medication and lifestyle measures can help in keeping blood glucose levels within acceptable limits and thus preventing diabetes in people.
