Mokokchung to receive first consignment of anti hypertension drugs
A three-day training on India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) was conducted at IDSP conference hall, office of the chief medical officer, Mokokchung from April 19-21.
According to DIPR report, resource persons for the training were consultant (medical), NIE (ICMR) Chennai, Dr. Mohamed Jainul Azarudeen and consultant (medical) Indian Medical Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Northeast region IHCI Dr. Shubhabrata Das.
The aim of the training was to build competencies of health care workers on hypertension treatment as per the standard state specific treatment protocol using a patient centric approach and strengthening drug logistic systems at district and health care facilities.
The training also included monitoring and supervision of hypertension control programme.
The programme was attended by doctors, nurses, and pharmacists from all levels of health care facilities under Mokokchung.
A study published in the National Medical Journal of India entitled “prevalence of risk factors for non-communicable diseases in a rural tribal population of Mokokchung, Nagaland, India” has shown that various risk factors for non-communicable diseases were high in spite of high awareness level (60 – 90 %).
Prevalence of hypertension was also found to be very high (43%) which was above the national average.
Another study on “deaths due to non-communicable diseases among the tribal population in India: Mokokchung, Nagaland” showed circulatory system, (IHD & Cerebrovascular) to be the leading cause of death (37%) while stroke was the major sub-category leading to 23% of all deaths.
IHCI project is a multi partner initiative of ICMR, WHO and ministry of health & family welfare in collaboration with the state government.
National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR), Chennai is the nodal agency for implementing the project.
IHCI in Mokokchung was launched by chief medical officer, Mokokchung on April 19 and the district is awaiting the first consignment of anti hypertension drugs from the state government following which registration of individuals with hypertension would commence.
Under the India Hypertension Control Initiative, individuals with high blood pressure would be registered in a mobile app and a hypertension passport (treatment card) will be provided.
The treatment of hypertension will be based on three drugs which would be made available free of cost in government facilities in Kohima and Mokokchung districts through the state government.