Scheme to detect and follow up diabetic retinopathy launched

The government, on World Diabetes Day, has announced new initiatives to streamline the management of non-communicable diseases in the State.

At a Diabetes Day observance organised by the Health Department here on Tuesday, Health Minister K.K. Shylaja said that “Nayanamritham”, a scheme to detect and follow up diabetic retinopathy in the community, one of the major causes of adult blindness in the State, was being implemented. Facilities would be created in all district hospitals in the State to detect diabetic retinopathy early and to treat it, she said.

Screening programme

Ms. Shylaja also announced that in association with Birmingham University in UK, a project was being planned to conduct field-level screening and detection of diabetic retinopathy in the community.

She also announced that a population-based survey and screening programme to detect the actual prevalence of NCDs in the State was being initiated.

The programme would be piloted in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Kannur an Wayanad districts in the first phase.

A scheme, Mithayi, for the early detection and management of juvenile diabetes or Type I diabetes in children had already been initiated in the State, Ms. Shylaja said.

She also inaugurated the Diabetes Day observance by the Indian Institute of Diabetes later in the day. Mass walks, awareness programmes and free medical camps were held on the occasion.