Mahasamund district will hold a month-long awareness, prevention and treatment programme on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) from May 15.

NCDs are generally caused by genetic or lifestyle factors. They are mainly categorised under cardiovascular, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases.

As per reports, the NCDs are responsible for two-thirds of all deaths globally, with 80 percent of these occurring in low and middle-income countries. The financial burden of diseases is a cause of concern for both the individual and the governments.

Laying emphasis on creating awareness on the diseases mainly on its prevention and treatment, Mahasamund Collector Sunil Kumar Jain directed health officials to conduct the month-long event in the district.

Mahasamund District Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr. R. K. Pardal intimated that during the month-long event, communities will be made aware about the need to conduct health check up on time and if any disease or problem is detected, timely treatment should be taken.

He added that at Health and Wellness centres established at community health centres (CHCs) and district hospitals, a population based screening will be conducted for non-communicable diseases.

He said people in the age group of 30 years and above will be screened for diabetes, high blood pressure, cervical cancer, oral cancer among others. Women will be examined also for breast and uterus cancers.

Dr Pardal added that NCDs can be prevented by adopting healthy lifestyle with physical exercises, keeping away from mental stress, regular health check up, avoiding tobacco, gutkha, smoking etc.