A Model of Cost and Time-Effective Disease Screening for Non-Communicable Diseases in India

Thodika, N. K.; Janagam, S.; Kaniyampady, S. T.; Ramaprasad, A.; Shetty, A.; Singai, C.

Background: India has the largest burden of the NCDs globally. Screening and identification of clusters with the common risk factors are crucial for early detection, prevention, and control at both individual and population levels. Objective: This study documents a model of cost and time-effective disease screening for NCDs. The model uses a combination of mobile health clinics-based point-of-care diagnostic technologies. The model, for its easy-to-use, cost and time effective operation, should be scalable as a tool for community-based disease screening and population level NCD surveillance. Method: The study documents the materials and processes of NCD screening camps conducted in Bangalore, India. A time and motion study analysis and cost analysis were undertaken to establish the time and cost effectiveness. Results & Discussion: The Study found out a baseline time and cost components for a camp based NCD screening strategy using the mHealth tools and mobile health facilities. This reinforces the potentials of integration of the NCD screening into the public primary health care centres for effective scaling up and achievement of surveillance as well as monitoring and evaluation of the NCD prevention and control programs in the country.