Survey: Malnourishment, low weight at birth common among Gurugram kids

In a door-to-door screening drive in Gurugram, the health authorities have found that malnourishment and low weight at birth was prevalent among children in the city.

Conducted as part of the Nirogi Haryana Yojana, the survey had a sample size of around 4 lakh people across the district.

Under the survey, health check-ups are to be conducted once every two years to identify and reduce the burden of disease, and the identified population has been categorised into six age groups for check-ups.

The survey revealed that anaemia, tuberculosis, diabetes and hypertension were the key health concerns for people aged above 18. According to the survey report, 5,543 people were found to be suffering from anaemia, 4,648 suffered from hypertension, 3,529 from diabetes, 267 with cardiac diseases and 23 with cancer.

“Health workers have been conducting check-ups for eligible individuals and directing them to facilities for comprehensive testing. To enhance this process, the state government plans to develop health packages,” Chief Medical Officer Virender Yadav said.

In Gurugram, 44 lakh tests have been conducted so far since November 1, 2022. The tests also helped diagnose 17 cases of TB and 21 cases of neurological strokes. The state government aims to screen 1.2 crore people with an annual income of less than Rs 1.8 lakh.

Since its launch in 2022, around 4.3 crore tests have been conducted across Haryana. Till date, 80,13,124 individuals across the state have undergone screening.

Gurugram is ahead of Panchkula in conducting checkups, as Panchkula has screened 83 per cent of its targeted recipients, while the Gururam administration has screened 87 per cent of its intended beneficiaries.

Announced by the then Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, the ‘Nirogi Haryana’ Yojana was launched by President Droupadi Murmu in Kurukshetra in November 2022.

It was decided that in the first phase, families with an income of less than Rs 1.8 lakh would be screened, while the rest of the population would be covered in subsequent phases.

Team leaders, who act as coordinators and facilitate the drive, have been identified in every district. Apart from check-ups, details like family history, immunisation status and history of contact with TB patients are collected from beneficiaries.

Key concerns among adults

• Conducted as part of the Nirogi Haryana Yojana, the survey on four lakh people in Gurugram, revealed that anaemia, TB, diabetes and hypertension were the key health concerns for people aged above 18.
• As many as 5,543 people were found to be suffering from anaemia, 4,648 suffered from hypertension, 3,529 from diabetes, 267 with cardiac diseases and 23 with cancer.