Ranchi: Jharkhand has received approval from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for an integrated model to prevent and manage non-communicable diseases (NCDs), making the state the country’s first model state for the programme, according to the reported approval.
The model was approved during a high-level meeting at Kartavya Bhavan-1 in New Delhi, where Union Health Ministry Additional Secretary and Mission Director Aradhana Patnaik gave the approval. Dr L. Swasticharan, Deputy Director General and Director of the NCD Division, presented Jharkhand’s proposed framework.
Five Health Programmes to Work Under One Framework
The proposed model will bring five national health programmes together on a common platform:
- National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD)
- National Oral Health Programme
- National Tobacco Control Programme
- National Programme for Palliative Care
- National Mental Health Programme
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The integrated approach is intended to strengthen screening, early detection, treatment and digital tracking at the primary healthcare level.
Cancer, Diabetes and Mental Health Among Key Areas
The programme will cover multiple areas of NCD prevention and management, with cancer prevention and control identified as a key priority.
The framework will also address:
- Hypertension and diabetes
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Tobacco control
- Oral health
- Palliative care
- Mental health
The state has also been asked to accelerate vaccination efforts aimed at preventing cervical cancer.
Mission-Mode Implementation Planned
The integrated programme is expected to be implemented in mission mode. A state-level workshop is proposed to finalise the implementation strategy, with ministers, elected representatives and senior health officials expected to participate.
The National Health Mission, Jharkhand has also invited development partners, civil society organisations and public sector undertakings to support the initiative through corporate social responsibility (CSR), particularly for extending services to remote and rural areas.
Jharkhand Officials Present at Delhi Meeting
Jharkhand was represented at the meeting by NHM Mission Director Shashi Prakash Jha, State Nodal Officer Dr Ravi Raj and State Programme Manager Anima Kisku.
Officials from the Union Health Ministry, including Dr Tushar Nanasaheb Nale and Dr S. Senthilnathan, also attended, along with representatives of civil society organisations.
Model Proposed for Wider Rollout
According to the report, the integrated framework is proposed to be considered for national rollout after evaluation of the Jharkhand model.
The model places multiple NCD-related programmes under a coordinated framework, with primary-level screening, treatment and digital tracking forming key components of its proposed implementation.
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