Health Services to organize Diabetic Screening cum Awareness camp at various PHCs and CHCs

Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, January 04: As part of “National Programme for Control of Blindness” in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the Directorate of Health services will be organizing Diabetic Screening cum Awareness camp at various PHCs and CHCs in the city.
Addressing a press conference today at 03:30pm at DHS office, Dr Anita Shah, Deputy Director, OPTH said that NPCB was launched in India in the year 1976.
She said that one of the major medical problems in our country is diabetes, it causes damage to many parts of our body including the eyes and as one in ten persons are diabetic in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, conduct of such camp is important for Andamans.
Dr Anita Shah further briefed about Diabetic Retinopathy and said that Diabetic retinopathy is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina.
“When these blood vessels are damaged, they may leak blood and grow fragile new vessels. When the nerve cells are damaged, vision is impaired. These changes can result in blurring of your vision, hemorrhage into your eye, or, if untreated, retinal detachment. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness,” Dr Anita said
She further explained about the prevention from Diabetic Retinopathy and said that regular check-up and medication to keep blood sugar under control is the best prevention for diabetic retinopathy. She added that all those who have diabetes must get their eyes checked from time to time to rule out retinopathy, even if their blood sugar is under control.
Diabetic Screening cum Awareness camp will be conducted from 6th to 8th January at CHC Bambooflat from 10am, 27th to 29th January at PHC Wimberlygunj from 10am, 3rd to 5th February at PHC Ferrargunj from 10 am, 10th to 12th February at PHC Tushnabad rom 10am, 17th to 19th February at PHC Manglutan from 10am and 24th to 26th January from 10am at DH Garacharma.
The Director of Health Services, Dr Shiphra Paul was also present during the press conference and appealed all the citizens of the city to take the benefit from these camps.