Over 28m Iranians screened for hypertension, diabetes: National Health Survey
Since the implementation of Iran’s National Health Survey on November 11, 2023, the Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education has announced that over 334,000 people have been identified as possibly having diabetes. The survey, which will run from November 11, 2023, to January 5, 2024, aims to screen individuals over the age of 18 for blood pressure and diabetes.
The Ministry plans to create health records for all participants as part of this nationwide initiative, as reported by IRNA.
According to the Ministry of Health’s announcement, as of Friday, December 29, 2023, a total of 28,305,718 individuals have been screened for high blood pressure and diabetes in the National Health Survey. Of those, 558,896 people were identified as possibly having hypertension, and 334,190 people were identified as possibly having diabetes. Furthermore, in the 24 hours before that date, 1,302,529 individuals were screened, with 20,588 people identified with the possibility of high blood pressure and 10,866 people with the possibility of diabetes.
Based on a previous announcement by the Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education, 65 percent of men and 35 percent of women have participated in the National Health Survey thus far. The Director General of the Non-Communicable Diseases Management Office, Kourosh Etemad, noted that over five million Iranians have been identified in the pre-hypertension phase, while over 1.9 million people have been identified in the pre-diabetes phase through the survey. Etemad emphasized the importance of timely intervention to prevent or manage diabetes and high blood pressure in these individuals.
Etemad also encouraged greater participation from women, stating that the current 35 percent coverage is promising but can be improved. He highlighted that the most active age group in the survey has been 35-45 years old, and he urged all individuals over 18 years old in the country to participate to achieve the survey’s objectives.
In terms of screening numbers, the provinces of Fars, Mazandaran, East Azarbaijan, Kermanshah, and Urmia have been the most active, with over one million people screened since November 11. In terms of population coverage, the cities of Behbahan, Iranshahr, Shahrekord, and Bushehr have shown the highest participation rates in the survey.
The main goal of this campaign is to provide free care for diabetic and hypertensive patients within the framework of the family health program. By creating electronic health records, healthcare providers and doctors will be able to monitor and provide necessary tests and medications on a monthly or quarterly basis to those in need.