The State Government on Monday began free treatment and distribution of medicines under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, CVDs and Stroke (NPCDCS) at the Capital Hospital here.
“Diabetic patients can now avail free medicines and insulin at the Government health centres and Niramaya counters,” said NPCDCS State Nodal Officer Dr PKB Patnaik.
The Essential Drug list (EDl) has been revised recently and all commonly used anti-diabetes medicines including insulin have been added to the list.
With the modern lifestyle taking its toll, the prevalence of disorders like obesity, insomnia and heart disease has increased leading to the risk of diabetes. The State has an estimated 30 lakh diabetic patients with around 12 per cent from urban areas and seven per cent from rural pockets.
So far, around 35 per cent of the patients have been screened, detected and are getting treatment with the rest remaining undetected.
Nearly 53 lakh people were screened in 20 districts in Odisha where the NPCDCS programme is under implementation.
“Started in 2010-11, the NPCDCS has so far covered 20 districts. We are going to extend it in rest 10 districts this year. People in the age group of 30 and above will be screened along with pregnant women and symptomatic children. At least 40 per cent of the population fall in the age group,” Dr Patnaik said.