Screening Program in Hilihang Rural Municipality Reveals Non-Communicable Diseases in 12% of Residents

Phalgunanda, Panchthar. Twelve percent of people have shown signs of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the screening program operated by Hilihang Rural Municipality. Out of 443 individuals over 30 years of age in the community who underwent health checks, symptoms of NCDs such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney problems were observed in 12 percent of them.

Chandra Prasad Sharma Ghimire, Chief of the Health Branch of the Rural Municipality, informed that this situation was revealed after examining people who did not come for health check-ups and those busy with their own work in the community. Ghimire stated that people suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure were found who had not undergone health check-ups, and arrangements for counseling and treatment were made for them. "Symptoms of non-communicable diseases have been found in a minimum of 12 percent of people who appeared healthy," Ghimire said, "We have been running a campaign to identify NCDs since last year. A significant number of patients are being found in it."

Health institutions here also conduct health check-ups for participants in social and religious events such as weddings and feasts. The Rural Municipality stated that the screening program was initiated because people tend to seek treatment only after developing major health problems, by which time it is often too late. Ghimire further informed that the Rural Municipality is distributing free medicines for patients with diabetes and high blood pressure.

Furthermore, to spread health awareness, the Rural Municipality has arranged to operate 'Satellite Clinics' in its annual policy and program, providing information on primary treatment, nutrition, safe motherhood, use of family planning methods, and other topics to individuals who are not within reach of local health institutions. He informed that this program operates for two days every month in all wards here.

During the NCD screening, four residents were found to have Kala-azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis) and six had tuberculosis. Although Leishmaniasis infection is generally rare in the hilly regions, after four patients were found here, awareness programs through health institutions have been expanded, said Health Branch Chief Ghimire. Ghimire added that the screening program has been continued to cure tuberculosis patients through regular medication and to identify other patients. He mentioned that the screening program has made it easier to allocate budget and procure medicines in the coming days, and related patients have been saved from reaching a critical stage of the disease.

Rural Municipality Chairman Samar Bahadur Adhikari stated that many patients are being found under the 'Search and Vaccinate' campaign, and therefore, health workers have been encouraged for screening, awareness, treatment, and medicine distribution.