Non-Communicable diseases biggest killer in NE: Report

Agartala: Experts identified Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) as the biggest killer in NE and advised the states to go for massive prevention and control mechanism of the diseases.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) scientist Dr Prabhdeaep Kaur said on Thursday that they have launched a study in the region covering each vulnerable district of each state to determine the root cause of the NCD spread.
She said so far, the ICMR study revealed that hyper tension and high blood pressure among the age group of 40-60 are the main cause of death in 30 per cent cases, while cardiovascular diseases killed another 20 per cent people.
Recently, it was observed that growth of cancer due to smoking, tobacco use and alcohol has emerged as another killer disease among the NE  population.
The spread of cancer was much higher in the region than in other parts of the country, which could be prevented through changing lifestyle and food habits.
Dr Kaur, accompanied by five other experts from premiere health institutes of the country, attended a four-day workshop of the district level health workers on the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke (NPCDCS), launched in 2010.
In rest of India, infectious diseases appear to be the biggest killer, but in NE, it is NCD.
If it is controlled, health-related problems in the region will certainly be minimum, Dr Kaur observed.
Applauding the expansion of health care system in NE states including Tripura, she advised the state governments to ensure basic and credible laboratory facilities and introduction of various health instruments, besides trained manpower, including doctors to control a large number of premature death.
NPCDCS has targeted to cover 640 districts in 36 states and Union Territories across the country by 2017 to train health workers in preventive mechanism. It aims to develop a habit among the common man of undergoing a health check-up on regular basis, carrying out physical exercises and maintaining healthy lifestyle and food habits.
“Multi-centre studies have been initiated by the ICMR to find out the genetic factors, in addition to common environmental exposures, tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption etc, which could possibly explain the high prevalence of certain cancers in northeast India, which forms the basis of the current studies,” she added.
Neurology expert Sanjith Aaron said in India, one in every six persons dies of heart attack caused by unchecked blood pressure and hypertensions are the main cause of most disabilities in our country,” she added. (UNI)