Kathmandu, March 16

The government has announced expansion of the essential non-communicable disease interventions for primary health care programme to eight more districts.

The programme, which was started with assistance of the World Health Organisation (WHO), is currently running in Kailali and Ilam.

The expansion will include the following eight districts: Palpa, Baglung, Myagdi, Achham, Bardiya, Surkhet, Makawanpur and Rautahat.

The package includes risk reduction of non-communicable diseases, first-aid and treatment. “Non-communicable diseases will be identified and treated. In case of a failure to diagnose, the patient will be referred to another facility and will be given treatment,” said Mohammad Daud, chief of the Primary Health Care Revitalisation Division.

As part of the package, public health officers and health workers from eight districts have been receiving training in Kathmandu. “After the completion of the training, they are expected to share the skills and knowledge with fellow health workers in the target districts,” said Health Minister Gagan Kumar Thapa at the inauguration of the training here today.

Addressing the inaugural programme, Health Secretary Dr Senendra Raj Upreti said although the government had been investing in controlling non-communicable diseases, the programme focuses on preventing people from contracting diseases and providing them with medical check-ups.