India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI)

Why is in news? India wins UN award for its initiative to control and prevent hypertension under National Health Mission

• The India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) won the ‘2022 UN Interagency Task Force and WHO Special Programme on Primary Health Care Award’ at the UN General Assembly side event held at New York in USA on 21^st September, 2022.
• The India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) which is a large-scale hypertension intervention under National Health Mission, has been recognized for its exceptional work within India’s existing primary healthcare system.
• The award recognizes the outstanding commitment and action of India to prevent and control Non-Communicable Diseases and deliver integrated people-centric primary care.
• India has set a target of 25% relative reduction in the prevalence of hypertension (raised blood pressure) by 2025.
• To achieve this, it is important to fast-track access to treatment services by strengthening interventions such as the India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI).
• It was in September 2017 that the India Hypertension Management Project was launched with an aim to reduce disability and death related to cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• The India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) is a multi-partner initiative, implementing and scaling up a public health hypertension control program across India.
• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), State Governments, World Health Organization (WHO), and Resolve to Save Lives initiative of Vital Strategies, in a collaborative effort, launched India Hypertension Management Initiative (IHMI).
• 21.3% of women and 24% of men aged above 15 have been diagnosed with hypertension in India.
• As per the recent National Family Health Survey (NFHS), Southern States of India have a higher prevalence of hypertension than the national average. The prevalence of hypertension is the highest in Kerala, followed by Telangana state.
• The initiative was launched in 2017 and expanded in a phased manner to cover more than 130 districts across 23 states.
• Under the initiative, more than 34 lakh people with hypertension are taking treatment in government health facilities, including Ayushman Bharat Health Wellness Centres.