Assessment of National Program for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, CVD and Stroke (NPCDCS): An...

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasing in trend and associated with modifiable risk factors and subsequently reducing physical activity; hence the Government of India (GOI) has launched a National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancers, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) in 2010 to curb increasing prevalence. The present study was planned for assessment of the activities conducted under NPCDCS in rural Jaipur.

This observational study was conducted in rural Jaipur. NPCDCS reports, status of logistics and manpower were assessed for 1 year. Field level cross-checking survey was done to assess the gap between the actual screening work done and the work reported. All staffs were assessed for the level of awareness regarding NCDs as well as NPCDCS programs. Data were entered and analysed in Microsoft excel.

Around 48% (6674/13917) of persons >30 years were screened during 1 year study period. Around 51.5% of the screened persons had one or more NCDs (13.5% newly screened NCDs cases and 38% were prediagnosed of NCD cases). Status reports that 10 (83.33%) out of the total 12 expected reports were sent regularly on a monthly basis. Reason for not sending reports was a sudden lockdown due to COVID-19.

The study concludes that the implementation of NPCDCS program activities is not in synch with the health staff awareness level. IEC activities were deficient and no work was done for adoption of behavioural change and healthy lifestyle. Actual cases of hypertension were more while cases of diabetes were less than the reported cases found on cross-check survey.