BMC decides to screen HIV patients for hypertension and diabetes

@nag228

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to conduct screening of patients suffering from the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the city for hypertension and diabetes. Following which they will be provided with required medication under one roof.

With a view to avoiding any chances of increasing comorbidities like hypertension, blood pressure and diabetes and other health diseases in citizens, especially in patients suffering from serious diseases post COVID treatment, the BMC has decided to screen the HIV patients to ascertain whether they are suffering from hypertension and diabetes.

As per the data of the BMC, there are 36,360 patients of HIV in Mumbai. The main objective of the screening is to provide timely treatment for hypertension and diabetes which is growing gradually amongst the citizens.

Dr Shrikala Acharya, assistant project director of the Mumbai District AIDS Control society, said they will be checking each HIV patient in their city at the regular interval and if any of the patients are diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes, they will be given medicines at the Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) centres.

“There has been a surge in hypertension and diabetes across the city since the pandemic outbreak following which most of them are left undiagnosed which need to be monitored on a priority basis. So, we have now started screening HIV patients across Mumbai and will be checking whether they are suffering from hypertension or diabetes,” said Dr Shrikala Acharya.

Dr Acharya further added once HIV patients are diagnosed with hypertension or diabetes, they will immediately start the treatment for which they will get medicine at the ART centres. “We will be providing all facilities under one roof so that HIV patients don’t have to run from pillar to post for the medicines of hypertension or diabetes. Moreover, twice or thrice a week HIV patients visit the nearest ART centres for HIV medicines so they will get Hypertension or diabetes medicine at the same place.