NHM kick starts NCD screening for ASHAs

Jammu: State Health Society National Health Mission, J&K has started a special drive for Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) screening for ASHAs.
The programme has been started from Block Marh & RS Pura of district Jammu in which 270 numbers of ASHAs were screened on identified parameters. The programme is being scaled up in the entire UT in which more than 12000 ASHAs will be covered.
Under the programme, pool of trainers is also being created simultaneously who are conducting the screening programme in the districts.
Mission Director NHM, J&K Bhupinder Kumar said that NCDs are the leading cause of adult mortality and morbidity worldwide. Keeping in view that there are common preventable risk factors for Cancer, Diabetes, Cardio Vascular Diseases & Stroke, the focus of screening is on promotion of healthy life styles, early diagnosis and management of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases & common cancers e.g. cervix cancer, breast cancer & oral cancer.
He said that ASHAs represent the front line workers of health delivery system & need to be screened first so that their services can be further utilised in Population Based screening in the entire UT. ASHAs will also be capturing information on major risk factors so that persons at risk could be counselled on leading healthy lifestyles to prevent onset of NCDs.
The programme is coordinated by Programme Manager State Health Society, NHM, J&K Dr Anil Manhas.