Month-long health screening campaign from today

BY A STAFF REPORTER,Kathmandu, Feb. 13: The Ministry of Health Population is all set to begin a one-month screening campaign starting Thursday to identify and provide timely treatment for non-communicable diseases. 

Earlier, Minister for Health and Population Pradip Paudel had announced the launch of a preventive campaign against diseases and approved the guidelines on December 1, 2024. Following this, the ministry initiated the campaign. 

Minister Paudel said, "Along with organising treatment services as part of the plans and priorities we have announced, this campaign is being launched to protect citizens from the vicious cycle of diseases through preventive methods as much as possible." 

He further stated, "Through basic health check-ups and awareness, we aim to prevent diseases as much as possible. If someone does become ill, we will ensure timely treatment to save both the citizens' health and the resources of both the individuals and the state."

The country has 14.9 million citizens aged above 30 years. 

According to the Ministry spokesperson, Prakash Budhathoki, the Ministry has set the goal to include this age group in the campaign. 

During the campaign, all citizens aged over 30 will undergo screenings at local health institutions for diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney-related diseases and the height-to-weight ratio. These services will be provided free of charge.

"Free testing will be conducted for all individuals aged above 30 years at health institutions up to the local level," said Budhathoki.

The plan and priorities presented by Minister Paudel on August 11 last year highlighted the aim of conducting this campaign not only to treat diseases but also to identify health problems in citizens early through preventive measures. The Ministry is also preparing to launch a similar screening campaign against cervical cancer from mid-February to mid-March.