Mechanisation of farm activities in the district has increased productivity with Karimnagar earning the sobriquet of Rice Bowl of Telangana State. But, the achievement has also brought to the fore the rising number of heart ailment among the farmers.
Heart ailments, which were restricted to the urban areas, are now a cause for concern in the rural parts too. Due to mechanisation of farming activities, physical activity among the farmers has come down considerably. Problems associated with obesity are common among the ryots and failure of crop has only added to the stress among them. Hypertension and cases of diabetes are also reported quite frequently from the rural areas.
The District Medical and Health Officer, Dr. Aleem, admitted that there was increase in the number of heart-related cases. The Union government has included Karimnagar district in the national programme for control and prevention of diabetes, cancer and other non-communicable diseases such as Coronary Artery Disorder (CAD). The programme would be formally launched very soon in 10 clusters of Karimnagar district. He said that these centres would be manned by the doctors and counsellors to provide necessary treatment for people suffering from diabetes, hypertension and other non-communicable diseases.
Dr. Sarat Kumar Sahoo, interventional cardiologist at Apollo Reach Hospital here, echoed similar sentiments pointing out that there was a sharp rise in heart ailments in the rural areas. During the last seven years, he had performed more than 10,000 angiograms, 5,000-odd angioplasties, 1,000-odd primary angioplasties and other heart-related surgeries in Karimnagar town.
A doctor working at the government headquarters hospital here said that on an average every month around 500 related surgeries were conducted in Karimnagar in various hospitals. Besides, more than 500 patients were treated in corporate hospitals in Hyderabad. Of late, there is no physical activity for the farming community due to mechanisation and thus leading to various diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, said Ramachandra Reddy, a farmer from Manakondur mandal. He also said the failure of crops due to high investments was also leading to stress among the farmers.
