Health Department and National Health Mission Panchkula, celebrates World Asthma Day
Panchkula May 2: The Health Department and National Health Mission Panchkula, celebrated World Asthma Day at Brick Kilns situated in Village Paploha, Kalka today.
The programme was organized under the chairpersonship of Civil Surgeon, Panchkula, Dr Mukta Kumar, and Deputy Civil Surgeon (NCD), Dr Shivani Hooda.
Dr Sakshi Jain, Medical Officer (NCD), and Dr Shilpa Singh, District Program Co-ordinator (NCD), addressed the labour force and informed them that Pollution from brick kiln is associated with respiratory problems as well as a decrease in lung function. Although asthma cannot be cured, it is possible to manage asthma to reduce and prevent asthma attacks.
Along with awareness on asthma, a Non-Communicable diseases (NCD) screening camp was also held, to screen the people present for diabetes, hypertension and common cancers. People gathered were advised on the lifestyle changes to manage rising cases of hypertension and diabetes among them. Screening for Anaemia was also done and those found anaemic, hypertensive or diabetic were prescribed medicines.
It was informed that NCDs specifically high blood pressure and diabetes are a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases, blindness, kidney failure, lower-limb amputation, etc., which account for considerable mortality and morbidity. These complications can be prevented or delayed by maintaining blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels as close to normal as possible.
Dr Sakshi Jain, Medical Officer (NCD) and Dr Shilpa Singh, District Program Co-ordinator (NCD), provided on the spot counselling to those found borderline hypertensive or with raised blood sugar markers. The people present were also informed about NCD Clinic being operational in Sub Divisional Hospital, Kalka, and availability of free diagnostics and medicines to all the patients availing services at government health facilities.
