Published Jan 06, 2024 | 12:04 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 06, 2024 | 12:04 PM
Kerala Health Minister Veena George. (Facebook)
At least 18.14 percent among the 1.53 crore people screened for lifestyle diseases — as part of the Aardram-Arogyam project in Kerala — were found to have at least one risk factor for major lifestyle diseases, the state Health Department said on Friday, 5 January.
State Health Minister Veena George said in the first phase, the screening of over 1.53 crore people above 30 years of age was completed and follow-up treatment for over 13.6 lakh people was ensured.
The second phase of diagnosing lifestyle diseases as part of the Aardram-Arogyam project in the state to screen such non-communicable diseases will start soon, George said in a press statement.
The second phase of the project named “Shaili 2” was finalised in a meeting chaired by George, the Health Department said in a release.
In the second stage, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) will visit homes to screen people above 30 years for leprosy, vision and hearing impairment, and mental health issues, the Health Department said.
It added that screening of 1,53,25,530 individuals was done as part of the first phase in which it was found that 27,80,639 (18.14 percent) are likely to develop a serious lifestyle disease.
Among the 20.5 lakh individuals who were screened and suspected to be at risk of hypertension, the follow-up revealed that 31 percent had hypertension and are considered as new cases.
It also said that of the 20.45 lakh individuals screened and suspected to be having diabetes, 2.7 percent were confirmed to be newly diabetic.
The department said that under the project, the health volunteers will visit houses and screen for lifestyle diseases which will help in its early detection and control.
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