Prevention of Non Communicable disease (NCD)

Average Life Expectancy of our population has reached to 71 years. With rising life expectancy, Non Communicable diseases like Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension is on the rise in our country. These diseases are causing a lot of mortality and physical disabilities like paralysis and blindness in our ageing population.  Government hospitals, Bangladesh Diabetes association and heart foundation are dealing with curative (treatment) side of these diseases but nothing is being done on the preventive side of these diseases. Health education, proper diet and physical exercise can go a long way in prevention of these diseases.

Department of Health of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society in collaboration with Taiwan Red Cross and IFRC has been implementing a project on prevention of Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) since March 2012.  Focus of the program is on prevention of these diseases. 

Till now NCD prevention program has been completed in the following 11 MCH centres-

1. Outdoor of National Headquarter.
2. Jamila Khatun MCH centre, Lalbagh, Dhaka.
3. Raman Bibi MCH centre, Savar, Dhaka.
4. Jangalia MCH centre, Kaliganj, Gazipur.
5. Bairagirchala MCH centre, Gazipur
6. Haider Ali MCH centre, Karatia, Tangail.
7. Horinagar MCH centre, Shamnagar, Satkhira.
8. Tentulia MCH Centre, Tala, Satkhira.
9. Naihati MCH centre, Rupsha, Khulna.
10. Sreefaltala MCH centre, Khulna.
11. Gopalpur MCH centre, Jessore.

At present the program is being carried out in the following 5 MCH centres.

1. Kazlakati MCH centre, Barisal
2. Karnakati MCH centre, Barisal
3. Bankerhat MCH centre, Bhola
4. Bagdha MCH centre, Barisal
5. Dhalhar MCH centre, Pirojpur

Objective of the project is:-

1. Train MCH staff (Midwives, Assist. Midwives and Community Health promoters) on diabetes and Hypertension and its prevention (there is a deficiency of knowledge about these diseases and their prevention in our health staff and rural communities).

2. Health Education of the catchment population on Diet, Nutrition and Prevention of Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension in the villages around 16 MCH centres of BDRCS.

3. Diagnose cases of Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension and refer them to Physicians.

Activities completed till now:

• In total 32 CHPs (Community Health Promoter) and 16 CMWs (Community Midwife) received training on prevention of NCD.

• Total no. of Family covered in the catchment area of 16 MCH centres =14,000

• Total no. of people covered in the catchment area of 16 MCH centres  = 64,650

• Total no. of people over 40 yrs. covered in the catchment area of 16 MCH centres =17,460

• Number of courtyard meetings (Health education session on prevention of NCD) conducted by the health workers of the project = 1,120

• Total number of people attending these Health education program = 13,440

• Total no. of Hypertensive patients identified and referred to district Hospital and other health facilities =1,393 (male ÔÇô 653, Female- 740).

(Hypertension was identified when blood pressure reading was equal or more then 140 /90 mm mercury).

• Total no. of Diabetes patients diagnosed and referred to district hospital and other health facilities = 670 (male-325, Female-345).

(Diabetes was identified when Fasting Blood sugar was equal or more then 7 mmol/litre)

However number of cases having Hypertension and Diabetes does not give any indication about rate and prevalence of these diseases in the community because Blood pressure and Fasting Blood sugar was only measured in clinically suspected cases, not in the whole population.

Achievements of the project:

The main achievement I feel was raising awareness about prevention of these diseases in the rural community (by safe dietary practice, physical exercise and avoiding tobacco).

Early detection and referral of patients to hospitals and health facilities for treatment has possibly reduced the mortality and morbidity of these diseases in the catchment population of the program area.

Conclusion:

The NCD program should be extended to all other MCH centres of BDRCS to reduce the risk of these deadly diseases in the ageing population in the catchment area. 

Hasan

MCH Manager