School children to be screened for diabetes--Central government
POSTED March 12, 2011 - 14:57 | POSTED BY Varma.gbsnp
Last edited by Silky Chandvani on March 12, 2011 - 15:58
A pilot project would be started and completed in six months, the minister added.
Pilot project
For the pilot project, the ministry has chosen six districts. All school-going students in the districts will be screened for the disease.
During question hour in Lok Sabha, Mr. Azad said, “I think within six months, we will come to know the profile of the children with regard to prevalence of diabetes among the children, and within one year we will come to know the profile of the entire country, about the pregnant women of all age groups, and men and women above the age of 30 years.”
The government had already approved a scheme for screening of general public for diabetes. The approved scheme includes screening of pregnant women of all ages and people above the age of 30.
He said the government is up to the task, and around 15 crore people would be screened. In the twelfth five-year plan, he said, the government would like to screen all the people in the country.
Minster cautions about lifestyle
Changing lifestyles are the main contributors to non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
A study conducted last year by the National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation (N-DOC) revealed that obesity was increasing the risk of diabetes among children.
Anoop Misra, the chairman of N-DOC, said, “Over a three-year period, obesity has increased from 9.8 percent to 11.7 percent in children. Obesity has caused a rise in diabetes among children.”
Commenting on the lifestyle changes and other factors leading to high incidence of diabetes, Mr.Azad said that unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, obesity and genetic pre-disposition were contributing to these diseases.
He, however, ruled out any health insurance scheme for school children.
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