A tie-up with the Cuban government to explore the possibility of producing drugs for diabetic foot ulcers and a campaign to ensure early detection of breast cancer are among the steps the Health department in Kerala is taking up this year to check lifestyle diseases.
They are part of the department’s non-communicable diseases (NCD) control programme and based on the results of a survey of people aged above 30 launched around two years ago. Through the ‘Shaili’ app designed by e-Health Kerala, home-based screening is being conducted to detect risk factors for NCDs.
“A ‘Healthy Life’ campaign focussing on changes in lifestyle and food habits is being planned in 2024. It has been found that breast cancer cases among women, which can be healed if detected early, are higher in number in the State. An awareness campaign for early detection of breast cancer and screening of high risk, low risk and general category of patients, based on their age group and family history, etc,., too will be held,” Health Minister Veena George told The Hindu on Tuesday.
