According to WHO, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally; i.e., 32% of all global deaths. Of these deaths, 85% were due to heart attack and stroke. According to a study, people from north-eastern India were found to have salt-sensitive phenotype which reinforces the reason behind high prevalence of hypertension. A study on hemorrhagic stroke published in Lancet, revealed that people residing in the northeastern state topped the list of deaths by hemorrhagic strokes and it exceeds the national average by a staggering three times.

The project NIVARAN aims to prevent cardiovascular diseases in the marginalized tea tribes of Assam and reduce the out-of-pocket expenditure due to CVD ailments with the help of cost-effective and non-laboratory-based screening tool. The target population for this project will be all the individuals in the age group of 30 years and above residing in the selected 25 tea estates spread over 5 districts of Assam, namely Jorhat, Golaghat, Sivasagar, Dibrugarh, and Tinsukia. (approx. 4500 individuals)

Objectives:

• To screen eligible participants age group of 30 years and above with the non-laboratory-based CVD risk screening tool and identify at-risk population.
• To provide laboratory tests to identified high-risk cases
• To provide referrals for appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions
• Policy advocacy for the integration of the non-lab-based CVD risk screening tool in the state public health system.

Expected outcomes:

• Reduced mortality and loss of productive years due to CVD ailments: as the resource-scarce group of tea garden workers will receive free of cost early screening for CVD risk, confirmation through lab tests and timely interventions through referral to the health system.
• Reduced out-of-pocket expenditure due to CVD related adverse events: through early warning system (preventive measure)

The on-going NCD prevention program strengthening: by validating the current data and adding on the other relevant information for surveillance. Easily accessible, user-friendly and cost-effective screening tool will be made available to the frontline health workers.