Mumbai Municipal Corporation Introduces Arogyam Kutumvam Program, Citizens To Undergo Health Check-Ups
Mumbai, 8th February 2023: The Mumbai Municipal Corporation has undertaken a comprehensive vigilance program – Arogyam Kutumvam – to combat the rising incidence of high blood pressure, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases. Schemes such as pre-screening, public awareness, healthy lifestyle, new treatment strategies, patient-centric vigilance and monitoring system, and others will be adopted under this programme.
According to the National Family Health Survey Five, one in four people in Mumbai has high blood pressure, and one in five has diabetes. Also, according to the World Health Organization’s ‘Steps Survey’ recently conducted by the Municipal Corporation, 34 per cent of people in Mumbai have high blood pressure, while 18 per cent have diabetes. To combat the rising menace of high blood pressure, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases among Mumbaikars, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation has taken up the program ‘Arogyam Kutumbam’ for citizens. Under this programme, the Municipal Corporation has started high blood pressure and diabetes special screening centres in 16 hospitals to screen the citizens of the city. It will be extended to all hospitals. Similarly, through the primary health system of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, health volunteers or Asha Sevikas will go to every house in the slums and similar settlements to check the high blood pressure of people above 30 years of age. The health nurse will follow up with the patients for further treatment, and these patients will be sent to the HBT centre.
A new treatment regimen has been developed to ensure that patients complete their medication regimen. A fixed drug combination has been purchased. Also, a patient recall system will be developed. Counselling and follow-up will be done through the control room in the department office. The Municipal Corporation has allocated Rs 12 crore for the financial year 2023-24 for the program ‘Arogyam Kutumvam’.
A target has been set to screen 47 per cent of the city’s citizens above 30 years of age through health workers in 2023-24. The target is to have 50 per cent of the estimated hypertension population under surveillance and to achieve a follow-up and control rate of 50 per cent. One day of the week, Wednesday will be reserved for the inspection of citizens. The Municipal Corporation has purchased high blood pressure equipment and kits for testing.
Diabetes screening and treatment, as well as diet counselling facilities, will be provided at every health facility level. So uncontrolled diabetes can reduce the risk of complications like skin ulcers, retinal diseases, nerve diseases, and chronic kidney disease and reduce mortality.
