India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI), a nationwide primary health care intervention under the National Health Mission, was awarded the 2022 UN Interagency Task Force and the WHO Special Programme on Primary Health Care Award at a UN General Assembly side-event held on 21 September 2022 in New York. The award recognizes India’s “highly impactful, large-scale hypertension intervention within India’s existing primary health care system”.
A collaborative initiative of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Indian Council of Medical Research, state governments and World Health Organization Country Office for India, IHCI has been awarded for successful multisectoral action to prevent and control noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) by delivering integrated primary care close to where people live and work.
“IHCI is being implemented in 138 districts of 23 states. More than 34 lakh people with hypertension are taking treatment in government health facilities. This highly impactful initiative has received applause from the UN. We are committed to building a healthy and fit India,” tweeted Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
A Cardio-Vascular Health Officer supporting health workers at a Health and Wellness Centre.
© WHO India
Uncontrolled blood pressure is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure, which are a leading cause of death and disease. CVDs are accountable for one-third of total deaths in India. Of the estimated 220 million people living with hypertension in India, only 12% have their blood pressure under control. India has set a target of 25% relative reduction in the prevalence of hypertension (raised blood pressure) by 2025.
IHCI’s easily scalable strategies include a simple drug-dose-specific standard treatment protocol, ensuring adequate quantity of protocol medications, decentralization of care with follow-up and refills of medicines at Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs), task sharing involving all health staff, and a near real-time information system to track every patient for follow-up and blood pressure control. Around half of those who were treated under IHCI have blood pressure under control.
“IHCI has been scaled up rapidly since its launch in 2017 and now delivers treatment for hypertension to more than 34 lakh people in government health facilities, including AB-HWCs. Despite disruptions in health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, IHCI has successfully mainstreamed hypertension control by integrating it to comprehensive primary health care. It has truly made hypertension control a Jan Andolan (people’s movement). The award is a significant recognition and celebration of this achievement and the incredible work of India’s health workforce, including Cardio-Vascular Health Officers (CVHOs) and Senior Treatment Supervisors (STSs),” said Dr Roderico H. Ofrin, WHO Representative to India.
Under IHCI, teams of CVHOs and STSs from WHO support the state governments in developing and adopting treatment protocols; forecasting and procurement of anti-hypertension medicines; building capacity of health care providers; monitoring patients through effective information systems including digital apps like Simple app.