Aimed at reducing disability and death related to cardiovascular disease (CVD by improving control of high blood pressure (hypertension), reducing salt consumption and eliminating artificial trans -fats — the leading risk factors for CVD — the Union Health Ministry and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have launched the India Hypertension Management Initiative (IHMI). CVD is the leading cause of death in India.
Need for awareness
Health Secretary Preeti Sudan said: “There is urgent need to raise awareness about non-communicable diseases among families regarding packaged food and processed foods with excessive salt and trans fats. One also needs to incorporate yoga in their routine to prevent and manage hypertension.”
Soumya Swaminathan, Secretary, Department of Health Research and Director General, ICMR, highlighted the importance of initiating and managing treatment for hypertension.
“There is need for public education programmes on nutrition and training of frontline healthcare workers regarding management of hypertension. The risk factors have to be managed at a very young age and we need to look into behavioural issues related to food intake, especially salt,” Dr. Swaminathan said.
The IHMI is a collaborative project by the ICMR, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, State governments and the World Health Organization (WHO). The primary goal of the project is to reduce morbidity and mortality due to CVDs by improving control of high blood pressure, which is a leading risk factor for CVDs among adults in India.
The IHMI is focused on five essential components of scalable treatment of hypertension. It will support adoption of standardised simplified treatment plans for managing high blood pressure, ensure regular and uninterrupted supply of quality-assured medications, task sharing so health workers who are accessible to patients can distribute medications already prescribed by the medical officer, and patient-centered services that reduce the barriers to treatment adherence.
IHMI will be progressively rolled out in 25 districts selected by the Health Ministry in the first two years for expansion of active screening and intensification of treatment activities for hypertension.
As per a release issued by the Health Ministry, around 200 million adults in India have high blood pressure, yet control rates for the condition remain low. Studies suggest that only one-quarter of people with hypertension in rural areas are aware of their condition, and only around 10% have their blood pressure controlled. In urban areas, around 40% of people with hypertension are aware of their condition, and only around 20% have their blood pressure controlled.
