In non-communicable diseases programme, Sriganganagar on top

Jaipur: A health department survey of implementation of non-communicable diseases (NCD) programme has ranked Sriganganagar as the best performing district in Rajasthan.
Sikar and Chittorgarh have secured the second and third positions, respectively. The programme, spearheaded by the health department, employs a multifaceted approach to tackle common health concerns, including diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and cancer, emphasising prevention, screening, and treatment.

“NCDs are emerging as major health issues including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke.We are making efforts to diagnose such cases early by spreading awareness, screening, testing, treatment and management of NCDs,” Dr Ajay Sighla, chief medical health officer (Sriganganagar), told TOI.
The programme seeks to improve infrastructure, equipment, human resource development, health promotion, and awareness generation to enable early detection, management, and referral to suitable healthcare facilities for NCD treatment. The directorate releases monthly rankings based on various criteria, such as blood pressure, sugar, and hypertension. Sikar obtained 32.9 points, with 4.9 points for NCD screening efforts, 15.7 points for follow-up, 4.9 points for NCD portal work, 3.8 points for creating ABHA IDs, and 3.6 points for NIN mapping work, CMHO (Sikar) Dr Nirmal Singh said.
Kekri and Churu secured the fourth and fifth positions, respectively. A senior health department official said the NCD programme aligns with the screening and follow-up targets established by the directorate, with work organised monthly. The department also provides ongoing motivation and training to community health officers, auxiliary nurse midwives, and ASHA workers to ensure efficient screening and follow-up of positive patients.