Diktel Municipality Launches Screening Campaign for Non-Communicable Diseases Targeting Citizens Over 30

Khotang. Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality has initiated a screening campaign for non-communicable diseases targeting citizens above 30 years of age. The municipality has launched the screening drive to organize health camps and provide free treatment for patients diagnosed with high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, asthma, cancer, and kidney-related ailments.

The municipality stated that 58 people underwent health checks on the first day of the screening campaign, which is scheduled to run until the first week of Chaitra. It was reported that among those who participated in the screening campaign launched at the municipality's assembly hall in Diktel, four individuals showed elevated blood pressure and seven exhibited urinary problems.

Khemraj Acharya, Chief of the Municipal Health Branch, informed that those with urinary problems were advised to visit the District Hospital Diktel for kidney testing. He added, "All health institutions have been requested to submit the report of the data collected during the campaign to the Municipal Health Branch by Chaitra 3. After the screening campaign concludes, we are preparing to operate free health camps on Chaitra 5 and 6." He further stated, "Specialist doctors for various diseases will participate in the camp operated under the leadership of the municipality. Hospital and Research Center Pvt. Ltd., Chabahil, Kathmandu, will provide technical support for the camp to be held at the District Ayurveda Health Center building in Diktel."

All political parties, civil society, school families, employees, and municipal residents over 30 years of age have been urged to undergo mandatory health check-ups in the campaign that will operate in all wards within the municipality. Municipal Mayor Tirtharaj Bhattarai informed that all ward offices and health workers have been directed to effectively implement the screening campaign initiated by the municipality.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, non-communicable diseases accounted for 66% of total global deaths in 2018, a rate that has now increased to 71%. In Nepal as well, the prevalence of high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, asthma, cancer, and kidney-related diseases is rapidly increasing.

Meanwhile, an HPV vaccination campaign for the control of cervical cancer will be conducted across the district from Magh 28 to Falgun 1. It has been stated that girls studying in Grade 6 and adolescent girls aged 10 who are out of school will be vaccinated during the campaign.

Adolescent girls currently studying from Grade 7 to 10 and those aged 11 to 14 who are out of school, who missed the HPV vaccination campaign last year, will also be provided with the vaccine. Health Branch Chief Acharya informed that in Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality, which has eleven wards, there are 719 adolescent girls who need to be vaccinated.