The Deccan Herald 05.10.2010
Shortage of glucometer strips hits BBMP’s health camps
The screening camps for hypertension and diabetes in slums organised by the Health department and Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) are plagued with acute shortage of glucometer strips.
While the Health department has 36,000 glucometer strips in stock, it requires three lakh strips more.
An official from the department said that things were under control and that the Union Health Ministry had been apprised of the situation. "Since the camp was a sudden decision, the Centre sent the glucometer strips and the machine in a hurry. We have requested for more strips from the director of Health Ministry, who has promised to send them," the official said. The organisers are expecting to screen over two lakh people above 30 years at the camps. The department has received 144 glucometers so far.
Prelude to Health Mission
Funded by the Union Health Ministry, the camps are set to be launched in five other cities - Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
The camp intends to study the prevalence of non-communicable diseases in urban slums to chalk out National Urban Health Mission (NUHM), which will be the urban counterpart of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).
Apart from hypertension and diabetes, people will also be counselled on the ill-effects of tobacco and alcohol addiction at the camp.
The camp, which was inaugurated at JP Nagar II Phase on October 2, will be held in 327 slums notified by the BBMP, from October 6. The slums have been divided among the eight medical colleges, which will be providing doctors and paramedical staff for the camp. The camp will be conducted five days a week, for two months and each team will get three glucometers.
"There are over nine lakh people in these slums of which over four lakh are above 30 years. We are expecting 50 percent of this group to attend the camps," an official said. Each medical college will be provided with two data operators to gather data of patients everyday.
To encourage more participation, the link workers associated with BBMP hospitals will go door-to-door to sensitise people about the camp and they would be provided Rs 100 per day. Persons detected with high blood pressure or diabetes will be referred to four government hospitals, besides Nimhans and Kidwai Institute of Oncology. "The entire cost of drugs will be borne by the department. The link worker will also ensure the patient continues the treatment," the official explained.
