The health ministry’s first Nationwide Non-Communicable Diseases Screening Programme has screened 75 per cent of its target population of nearly 300,000 individuals aged 18 and above. Completed in December last year, the three-week initiative identified over 35,000 individuals at risk of various diseases. These individuals have been referred to nearby hospitals for further diagnosis and confirmation.
More than 1,400 health workers screened over 216,000 people during the screening campaign in 1,500 screening stations. The programme tested for blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
Thimphu and Phuentshogling Thromde recorded the lowest turnout. Out of nearly 49,000 residents in Thimphu Thromde, over 12,000 were screened, while Phuentshogling screened 6,000 of its 14,000 target.
Other districts such as Tsirang, Samtse, Chhukha, and Sarpang also fell short of their screening goals. In contrast, Punakha, Bumthang, Trongsa, Monggar, Samdrup Jongkhar, Pema Gatshel, and Haa exceeded their target turnout.
The ministry will continue offering NCD screening services at hospitals across all districts. A second round of screening is planned for next month in Thimphu and Phuentshogling Thromde to improve turnout.
“We managed to screen only 25 per cent of the target population in Thimphu and 49 per cent in Phuentshogling Thromde. The ministry and government consider this programme a top priority and will restart the screening within one to two weeks,” said Karchung, programme officer at the Ministry of Health.
According to the NCD screening summary record of the ministry, over 51,000 individuals screened have high blood pressure. More than 23,000 were found with high blood sugar, about 2,000 showed signs of cardiovascular disease, and nearly 90,000 were identified as overweight.
Officials are awaiting confirmation of results from hospitals nationwide to finalise the data.
The screening programme underscores the importance of early detection and treatment of non-communicable diseases in promoting healthier communities.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Sonam Pem
