VIN conducted health campaign for Diabetes and Hypertension patients

Volunteer of VIN checking health status of Women for diabetes and hypertension

Volunteers from Volunteers Initiative Nepal (VIN) under public health and medical care program visited the Kavresthali community to measure the blood pressure, glucose level and Body Mass Index (BMI) of the people living in this area. It was a health campaign for diabetes and hypertension patients. In the campaign, people were made aware about the risks of diabetes and hypertension. People with hypertension and hyperglycemia were advised to visit the health clinic in Kavresthali and were given information how to change their lifestyle. Especially reducing the salt intake, lowering the BMI and to quit smoking can be beneficial to lower the blood pressure. In the Kavresthali community we found out that 20% of people had hyperglycemia and 37% hypertension in single visit. There was also not a lot of knowledge about the impact of a high salt intake and a high BMI. This shows that awareness about a healthy life style should be increased to prevent hypertension and diabetes in the Kavresthali community.

Hypertension and diabetes is an increasing problem in the Kathmandu rural area. Due to changes in the lifestyle of the inhabitants of the Kathmandu valley the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension are increasing. The consequences of these diseases are not mild. Hypertension can lead to vascular disease which can cause a stroke or a heart attack. Diabetes, if not controlled well, can lead to various serious conditions as kidney failure, diabetic neuropathy, eye problems and in severe cases it can cause a life threatening diabetic shock. Therefore it is important to raise awareness about these health problems and to promote a healthy lifestyle and this is the reason VIN organized the health campaign for Diabetes and Hypertension patients.