3 (three) days training on India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI), was conducted at IDSP Conference Hall, Office of the Chief Medical Officer, Mokokchung from the 19th– 21st of April 2021.

India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) complements the screening program for Hypertension under the National Program for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS). It aims to accelerate progress towards the Government of India’s goal of 25% reduction in mortality due to non-communicable diseases by 2025.

Dr. Mohamed Jainul Azarudeen, Consultant (Medical), NIE (ICMR), Chennai and Dr. Shubhabrata Das, Consultant (Medical) ICMR, Northeast Region IHCI were the resource persons for the training. The aim of the training is to build competencies of Health care workers on Hypertension treatment as per the standard state specific treatment protocol using a patient centric approach and strengthen the drug logistic systems at the district and health care facilities.

The training also included monitoring and supervision of Hypertension control program. Participants of the training were Doctors, Nurses, and Pharmacists from all levels of Health care facilities under Mokokchung district.

A study published in the ‘National Medical Journal of India’ entitled “Prevalence of risk Factors for Non-communicable diseases in a Rural Tribal Population of Mokokchung, Nagaland, India” has shown that various risk factors for non-communicable diseases were high in spite of high awareness level (60 – 90 %).

Prevalence of Hypertension was also found to be very high (43%) which is above the National average. Another study on “Deaths due to Non-communicable Diseases among the Tribal Population in India: Mokokchung, Nagaland” shows Circulatory system, (IHD & Cerebro vascular) to be the leading cause of death (37%) and stroke was the major sub category leading to 23% of all deaths.

High blood pressure is the World’s leading killer and a silent killer. However, only 11% of people with Hypertension in India have it under control. Under the IHCI, individuals with high blood pressure will be registered in a mobile app and a Hypertension passport (treatment card) will be provided.

Treatment of hypertension will be based on 3 (three) drugs and these 3 (three) drugs will be made available free of cost in Government facilities in Kohima and Mokokchung districts through the State Government.

India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) Project is a multi partner initiative of Indian Medical Council of Medical Research (ICMR), World Health Organization (WHO), and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW), Government of India in collaboration with State Government. National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR), Chennai is the Nodal agency for implementing the project. India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) in Mokokchung district was launched by the Chief Medical Officer, Mokokchung on the 19th of April 2021 and the District is awaiting the first consignment of anti Hypertension drugs from the State Government following which registration of individuals with Hypertension will commence.