The proposal of the PHRD comes at a time when the prevalence of non-communicable diseases have surpassed communicable diseases.Most of the ailments, especially the non-communicable diseases, do not get diagnosed in Nepal until the death of the patients. Doctors say that earlier detection of the diseases may lead to proper cure or longer survival rate.
"We have proposed PEN Package in the grassroots level, as most of the non-communicable diseases are asymptomatic," Achyut Lamichhane, senior public health administrator at the PHRD, said. He said that special examinations exist for many chronic non-communicable diseases and the risk of the disease can be reduced if diagnosed on time.
According to Lamichhane, health workers in the health posts will be provided equipment and special training for the examination of the diseases. "We have proposed to start the services from two districts in the first phase for the study," he said, adding, "If the services yield positive results, they can be extended throughout the country."
Under the PEN package, people will be requested for periodic screening for detecting specific chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental health problems, respiratory diseases and others.
Lamichhane informed that the PHRD will seek technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO).
With the prevalence of the non-communicable diseases surpassing communicable diseases, the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) has been increasing investments on the non-communicable diseases. The MoHP provides free medicines to diabetic patients, patients suffering from mental health, respiratory diseases, hypertension and others. The MoHP also provides financial support to renal patients, patients of spinal cord injury among others.
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