Preeti Sudan, Secretary (HFW) and Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Secretary, DHR and DG, ICMR, launched the India Hypertension Management Initiative (IHMI) at a function, here today. The IHMI aims to reduce disability and death related to cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death in India.
Sudan underlined the various aspects of the non-communicable diseases (NCD’S) like prevention, detection and management. She stated that creating awareness about it is vital as it is a silent disease.
The Health Secretary further said that there is urgent need to raise awareness about NCD’s amongst families regarding packaged food and processed foods with excessive salt and trans-fat. She also highlighted the need for incorporating yoga in one’s life for prevention and management of hypertension.
Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Secretary, DHR and DG, ICMR suggested the importance to initiating and managing treatment for hypertension. She emphasised on the need for public education programme on nutrition and training of frontline healthcare workers regarding management of hypertension.
Dr Henk Bekedam, WHO India Representative underlined the importance of awareness and detection of hypertension. This programme will help with the management of hypertension in the country.
The India Hypertension Management Initiative (IHMI) will be progressively rolled out in 25 districts in the first two years across districts selected by the Health Ministry for expansion of active screening and intensification of treatment activities for hypertension.
Around 200 million adults in India have high blood pressure, yet control rates for the condition remain low. Studies suggest that in rural areas in India, only one quarter of people with hypertension are aware of their condition, and only around 10 percent have their blood pressure controlled.
In urban areas, around 40 percent of people with hypertension are aware of their condition, and only around 20 percent have their blood pressure controlled.
This initiative aims to strengthen the cardiovascular disease component of the Health Ministry’s National Program for Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS).
It will focus on strengthening hypertension management and monitoring at the primary health care level, within the existing healthcare system, and is aligned with WHO’s Global HEARTS Initiative and National Guidelines.