Mumbai: Cancer screening and mental wellness checks part of new BMC survey

BMC aims to include mental health and common cancer detection as part of new survey. Representation Pic/Atul Kamble

The upcoming door-to-door survey by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) aims to include mental health and common cancer detection. The cancer prevention model is scheduled for inclusion in the next fiscal year. This survey, named Mukhya Mantri Aarogya Apalaya Dari, is an extension of last year's Aroghyam Kutumbam initiative by BMC.

‘The door-to-door survey aims to include screening for diabetes, high blood pressure, mental health, and common cancers like oral, breast, and cervical," said a BMC official. "We will also provide referral services to suspected patients. Currently we are working on conducting home blood tests for the elderly and vulnerable citizens and referring them for further management. Guidelines and a draft are yet to be prepared on what kind of blood tests to include in this program," the official added.

According to the data, the main cause of death is heart disease and brain hemorrhage or stroke. This can be related to blood pressure and mental health,' said the official. "If we diagnose the symptoms at the early stage we can treat patients on time. Also, our team can keep a watch out for medication," the official added. "We are going to include mental health and screening of common cancer in the Arogyam Kutumbam program,' said Executive Health Officer Dr Dakhsa Shah. "We have yet to frame a draft of the project about the cancer prevention model. We need to work out a plan before starting," Dr Shah added.