In the five days of screening for diabetes and hypertension at Sion hospital, 46 per cent of the people were found to be overweight or obese, according to the data. Experts said obesity is a major health issue that gives rise to other non-communicable diseases.

The BMC started a screening corner for non-communicable diseases (NCD) at Sion hospital on August 2. Here, patients and their relatives aged 30 and above are screened for diabetes and hypertension, and their Body mass index (BMI) as well. In the five days until August 7, health workers screened 252 people, and found 31 suspected hypertension cases, 47 suspected diabetes cases and 25 suspected diabetes and hypertension cases. Of the 252 people screened, 118 were overweight or obese, according to the data.