Consumer VOICE in collaboration with its state partner Rajkot Saher Jilla Grahak Suraksha Mandal, Gujarat, organized a workshop on Rising Burden of NCDs & Prevention and Care of Hypertension on 15th July at the Conference Hall, Government Circuit House, Shahibaug, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

The objective of the workshop was creating awareness among the people about the health – risks of Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including hypertension (HTN) which is a major risk factor.

While talking about the rising cases of NCDs especially that of hypertension in the state, Ms. Darshaben Vaghela, Hon’ble M.L.A., Ahmedabad, Gujarat in his inaugural address spoke about the importance of community  health workers as an attractive strategy for hypertension management. “To achieve the government’s goal of placing 75 million on Standard Care by 2025 it is important to fast track access to treatment services by strengthening interventions at the grass-root level.”

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Admitting that screening and follow-up is crucial for reducing hypertension in the state, Mr. Niteshbhai Shah, Hon’ble State Nodal officer of NCD, Gandhinagar raised the alarming situation of hypertension in the state. “The rise was significant in both slightly above normal and moderately high categories for both urban and rural women. Among urban females the above normal hypertension in NFHS5 was 11.4% which rose from 8.2% from the previous survey while in rural women it rose from 6.7% to 12%.

Dr Bhavinbhai Solanki, Hon’ble Chief Medical Officer, Ahmedabad emphasized on the importance of regular screening to prevent mortality due to hypertension. “Regular screening at the PHCs has been prioritized by the state government and which has helped us to identify areas especially rural areas where there is high prevalence of hypertensive individuals with low level of awareness. It is important to strengthen the screening process and include ASHA workers and health care workers proactively.”

Mr. Ashim Sanyal, Hon’ble  COO, Consumer VOICE made a detailed presentation highlighting prevalence of NCDs and HTN in India.  Talking about how timely intervention can save patients from serious hypertension problems like stroke and organ damage, he said that “most Indians are not aware that they are suffering from hypertension.” He raised concern about the lowest screening of hypertensive individuals in Madhya Pradesh and said that strengthening primary healthcare will not only reduce mortality but also significantly reduce the need for secondary and tertiary care and its related costs.”

Dr. Pinaben V Soni, Hon’ble Chief District Medical officer and civil surgeon revealed “that screening of hypertensive individuals is crucial to prevent morbidity and mortality associated with hypertension.”  Stressing on the importance of India’s frontline primary care in rural and semi-urban areas, she said that “primary health care centres in Gujarat support the efforts of the government through uninterrupted supply and availability of hypertension protocol medicines and helps in scaling up hypertension control in the state.”

Applauding the initiatives taken by the state government to reduce NCD burden, Dr. Sukumar Mehta, Hon’ble Cardiologist, Streeling Hospital, Ahmedabad  said that “the initiatives need to be focused on the most excluded, and hard-to-reach rural population to expand comprehensive healthcare services at the community and household level.”

The steep increase in NCDs is aggravated by lifestyle choices of people such as diet, physical activity, stress levels. Ramjibhai Mavani of Rajkot Saher Jilla Grahak Suraksha Mandal, emphasized on the need for lifestyle modifications to curb hypertension. ”Along with monitoring of blood pressure regularly and taking BP pills regularly, one should also quit smoking, avoid alcohol and lead a healthy life,” he stressed.

Talking about how timely intervention can save patients from serious hypertension problems like stroke and organ damage, Dr. Rashmiben Sharma, Hon’ble  Associates  Professor, GMERS, Sola Ahmedabad revealed that “most Indians are not aware that they are suffering from hypertension. Many Gujaratis are suffering from hypertension and the reasons could be stress and food habits and lack of exercise. More younger patients are also reporting with high blood pressure”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 27 per cent of deaths in India are attributed to cardiovascular disease (CVD) which affects close to 45 per cent people in the 40-69 age group. High blood pressure is among the most important risk factors for CVDs. Besides, there is low awareness about hypertension, lack of appropriate care through primary care, besides poor follow-up.