TS announces mass screening drive after study reveals 50% of Hyd population prone to hypertension

Hyderabad: Nearly 50 per cent of Hyderabad's population is prone to hypertension, according to a survey conducted by a city hospital and the Cardiological Society of India (CSI). The study was unveiled by Telangana health minister T. Harish Rao on the occasion of World Hypertension Day.

The study also showed that around 60% of those who have kidney problems also have hypertension.

Almost 10,000 people were surveyed as part of the study conducted by Gleneagles Global Hospitals (GGH), Hyderabad and CSI with the help of statisticians from the National Institute of Nutrition.

Minister Harish Rao said the results of the study are somewhat surprising and distressing. "This rise in problems is due to change in lifestyle. People are under extreme stress and there is also a decrease in physical activity," he said.

He announced a mass screening drive to detect hypertension and diabetes in the state for the next two-three months. He announced that the state government has allocated Rs. 33 crores for the same. He added that free medicines will be provided as part of the campaign. Around 120 tests per day are expected to be conducted across the state from next month.

"Everyone in Hyderabad will also be surveyed throughout all basti hospitals," the minister added.

"Telangana ranks third in noncommunicable diseases screening in India. In the coming months, we aim at going to the first place in the country," he said.