Nagaland highest pan masala consumer in India

With 21% prevalence, Nagaland has the highest consumption of pan masala with tobacco in the country. This was disclosed by Dr. C. Teheo while addressing a state-level workshop for non-communicable diseases-nutrition, lifestyle, and management on November 9 at the Secretariat Conference Hall, Kohima.

Pan Masala prevalence at 21%; tobacco use amongst youth at 42%

According to a DIPR report, Dr. Teheo while speaking on the topic, “Tobacco Scenario in Nagaland” informed that tobacco use amongst the youth between 13-15 years was 42% (Global youth tobacco survey GYST-4 2019).

Dr. Teheo pointed out that 13% of the population indulges in smoking tobacco and 30% in smokeless tobacco usage and 8.9 % use both smoking and smokeless tobacco.
Dr. Teheo also highlighted the ongoing activities undertaken by the State Tobacco Control Cell (STCC) to spread awareness through different means.

In her address, secretary, health & family welfare, Asangla Imti said the assigned workshop was to discuss with inputs from the departments about the current state scenario complemented by data available that are applicable, to look for any shortfalls and limitations, the prevention and control measures based on the hazard risk factors, multi-sectoral approach, priority areas that are lacking and focusing on potential areas, and discuss programme basing on the topic in the block level, district level, and rural level.

In a virtual speech, principal secretary and development commissioner, Amardeep S. Bhatia asked the officers to see what the challenges were being faced in the area. He asked them to draft the non-communicable diseases prevalent in Nagaland, and see what the potential solutions to the problems are.
Bhatia said it was an opportunity for the departments to specifically see what the state requires and to be innovated to tackle the problem.

In a PowerPoint presentation on the topic, “National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardio Vascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS)”, joint director and SPO, NHM, Dr. Mereninla Senlen pointed out that at present, Nagaland has one state NCD cell, 11 district NCD clinics and 25 CHC NCD clinics and the activities include Population Based Screening (PBS), opportunistic screening management of common NCDs, counseling, physiotherapy, health promotion including use of IEC for Behavioral Change Communication. She also shared the achievement and targets of the department under NPCDCS.

While highlighting the Pradhan Matri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP), Dr. John Kemp said Nagaland started the haemodialysis in the year 2019 and many patients have availed of the facility provided under PMNDP.

He said the four districts where PMNDP through Fairfax India Charitable Foundation Limited has provided the Haemodialysis machines were NHAK, Mokokchung, Dimapur, and Tuensang districts.

Dr. Kemp also gave suggestions for modifying, refined, and changing for better outcomes for these units.

In a presentation, Dr. Bendangtula said Ayush facilities exist in three intergraded Ayush Hospitals, 49 Ayush Health & Wellness Centres, and 49 Ayush doctors. She also said that the services given are Ayush ODP, hypertension & diabetes screening, yoga sessions, herbal garden, and participation in VHND where screening and awareness talks are given. The departments present for discussion in the workshop were AHoDs and HoDs of Health & Family Welfare, Social Welfare, School Education, Urban Development, Higher Education, IPR, Youth Resources, and Food & Civil Supplies. Dr. Atsung Aier from CIHSR Dimapur and Dr. Along from Eden hospital Dimapur also partook in the discussion.