Several experts gathered in New Delhi, including representatives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), the World Health Organization (WHO), AIIMS doctors, and other national and international organizations, to discuss and focus on hypertension treatment as a key strategy for averting or minimizing the impending noncommunicable diseases (NCD) superstorm and halting the alarming rise in hypertension among Indians.

At least 1.4 billion people worldwide suffer from this chronic illness. Uncontrolled blood pressure has become a prominent cause of early death and disability in India. This disease affects at least one out of every four adult Indians. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 5 report, the younger population is more susceptible to hypertension, and treatment adherence is the lowest, even though hypertension is easily treatable and affordable. Only about 7% of women and 6% of men who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure are taking medication regularly.

Dr Pankaj Bharadwaj, Additional Professor, AIIMS Jodhpur said that NCDs account for more than 63 per cent of all fatalities in India, with hypertension being the most common underlying cause. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has created additional challenges to attaining hypertension control, as the focus is on COVID-19 control.

In light of this dire scenario, India′s government has pledged a 25% reduction in hypertension prevalence by 2025. According to Prof. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 15 crore people will need to be treated by 2024. It was important to improve primary health care, streamline medicine availability at AB-HWCs, improve follow-ups, and assist more individuals in remaining on treatment.

To address structural obstacles that inhibit treatment, the MoHFW is adopting innovations and changes. Patients with chronic illnesses are enthusiastic about the government′s telemedicine service, e-Sanjeevani, which just surpassed 3.5 lakh daily consultations.

Experts underlined the importance of a national awareness campaign for hypertension prevention, treatment, and adherence. Primary prevention of four primary hypertension risk factors should begin in elementary school. They launched PRACHI, a project to "Prioritize Advocacy for Management of Hypertension in India" to speed up hypertension control and treatment in the country.

(ETHealthWorld May 18, 2022)