New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS) A low-cost screening programme to mark the ‘National Vascular Week’ and spread awareness regarding vascular diseases in the country has been launched by Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals.
The screening programme that began Friday will continue till Dec 31. The cost of the investigation has been reduced from Rs.14,000 to Rs.5,000.
It will offer a one-time vascular surgeon consultation plus ultrasound screening of carotid arteries, abdominal blood vessels and lower limb arteries.
‘This innovative and cost-effective screening programme will ultimately help our patients know and prevent many complications, thereby avoiding surgery or interventions before the disease is end-stage,’ said Ramesh Tripathi, academic coordinator and senior consultant, vascular and endovascular surgery in Indraprastha Apollo Hospital.
People above the age of 50 years, having diabetes, hypertension, ulcers in legs or gangrene, heart disease or stroke and smokers are the ones who will benefit the most.
The National Vascular Week is observed Aug 6-13.
A campaign titled ‘SAVE’ India is also going to be launched soon. It will be a comprehensive vascular screening programme. Launched with the slogan – ‘Save Limbs, Save Lives, Save India!’, it aims at increasing awareness about vascular diseases.
‘WHO (World Health Organisation) has estimated that by 2011, India will be the diabetes capital of the world. SAVE Campaign has been launched with an eye to future challenges of increase in cases of vascular diseases in the country,’ Tripathi said.
