Phase II of the Indian Hypertension Control Initiative begins

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in partnership with Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Ludhiana, and the World Health Organization (WHO), is spearheading the second phase of the Indian Hypertension Control Initiative, Mission Swasth Kavach.

Completed in April 2023, this was the first project undertaken by the private sector. The medical teams are now following up with patients as part of the project’s second phase. A WHO delegation visited the DMCH and the industrial units where people receiving treatment for hypertension are being treated today. For this project, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) money are being used. The project’s model district is Ludhiana.

7,500 people were screened in the first phase, and their treatment is being carried out in the second phase, according to Dr. Bishav Mohan, Medical Superintendent of the Hero DMC Herat Institute.

Over 40% of newly diagnosed instances of hypertension were found in the IHCI-ICMR study data, underscoring the urgent need for intervention. A rise in the rates of hypertension management since the start of the second phase is one of the positive outcomes.

“Cluster hospitals under this effort include Mohandai Oswal Hospital and SNS Pahwa Hospital. We are returning to the industrial units and continuing to treat the hypertensive patients. It was found that giving them medicine on the spot worked better than telling them to take it at home. Those who are impacted are also offered diet counseling, according to Dr. Mohan.