India Receives UN Award For Large-Scale Health Initiative Against Hypertension

The health scheme also accelerates the target achievement of the Government of India by giving boost to the ongoing Ayushman Bharat programme.

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New Delhi: In a significant recognition of the country’s fight to curb hypertension, India won the UN award for India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI), Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Wednesday. He said that this scheme, under the National Health Mission, has helped boost Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to ensure health and wellness for all.

Taking to Twitter, the Union Minister wrote, “India wins an @UN award for "India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI)" - a large scale hypertension intervention within existing primary healthcare system under National Health Mission. IHCI has strengthened PM @NarendraModi Ji's mission to ensure health & wellness for all.”

“IHCI is being implemented in 138 districts of 23 states. More than 34 lakh people with hypertension are taking treatment in Govt health facilities. This highly impactful initiative has received applause from the UN. We are committed to building a healthy and fit India,” Mandaviya further wrote.

It is to be noted that the India Hypertension Control Initiative is a multi-partner initiative of the Government of India’s Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), WHO Country Office for India (WHO India), and Resolve to Save Lives (Technical partner). 

Under this government scheme, a team of Cardio-Vascular Health Officers (CVHOs) and Senior Treatment Supervisors (STSs) from World Health Organisation supports the state governments in developing and adopting the treatment protocols, forecasting and procurement of anti-hypertension medicines, building a capacity of healthcare providers monitoring the patients through effective information systems, that include digital apps like “Simple app”.

Launched in 2017, this scheme complements the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke (NPCDCS) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

The health scheme also accelerates the target achievement of the Government of India by giving boost to the ongoing Ayushman Bharat programme.

Since the rollout of the scheme, the initiative has led to effective coordination among multiple partners.