AHMEDABAD: Cops have managed to remain healthy - it is what the latest report by theAhmedabad Medical Association (AMA) says on the basis of the results of a health check-up project encompassing 7,195 men in khaki out of 10,000-odd policemen working with the city police.
The project was conceptualized in April last year after Ahmedabad police and AMA officials decided to go for an organized check-up plan covering all aspects of well-being. The move was also significant due to greying force and rise in lifestyle diseases among them.
Dr Pragnesh Vachharajani said the setup was formed to cater to all six zones of the city police in collaboration with the Police Hospital at Shahibaug. "The test covered physical examination, eye examination, ECG, urine sugar, blood pressure for longer periods and pulmonary check-up for traffic police," he said. The primary tests were conducted in October after which data collection and analysis started.
After a year-long exercise, the AMA and city police claim to have covered 77% of the present strength of the city police. The results did throw some surprises. Dr Mehul Shah stated that out of the total patients, 1,200 were diagnosed with hypertension, 499 with diabetes, 54 with eyesight problem and 55 with respiratory problem.
Interestingly, 55% policemen were not found to be suffering from any ailment, whereas additional 15% were having minor addictions. Thus, the medical examiners stated that 70% of the force is fighting fit. It's surely an encouraging result for the city police as over the time, the policemen have been diagnosed as a problematic lot as far as health is concerned.
Sanjay Shrivastav, joint commissioner of police (headquarters), said that after the first phase of the project, they are going to digitize the database for future reference so that the same person's data can be tracked over the period of time. "We are also creating awareness for health insurance for police and their family members. Those who have been diagnosed with health issues will follow up with the Police Hospital in close coordination with the AMA," he said.
What ails men in khaki
Ahmedabad: Last year, more than 10 policemen died of heart attack while on duty in various parts of the state.
When a police constable used to get inducted into the state police force before the new recruitment rules came into effect, they were expected to run 1,600 metres in six minutes, jumping 4.5 feet high and leaping 16 feet to prove their physical prowess. However, a decade in service and they would start battling health problems before taking on crime on the streets.
Alarm bells started ringing after the first health check-up was conducted by doctors in 2007, where more than half of the policemen were found to be obese, suffering from joint problems and having high blood pressure and sugar levels. Officials attributed it to stretched working hours, unhealthy food habits, addictions like tobacco, smoking and sometimes liquor and high stress levels.
Over the years, the scenario has not changed. Even in 2011 health survey covering 7,000 policemen, doctors found diabetes, high blood pressure, low haemoglobin and kidney diseases common among police personnel, along with job specific ailments such as breathing problems in traffic policemen and orthopaedic issues in personnel with sedentary job profiles. The only silver lining was the average health was a bit better due to induction of younger force.
The latest report, however, has completely overturned the picture where more than 50% of policemen have been declared healthy.
Changing profile
Health surveys have found that over the period the disease profile has underwent a change. "We do not just look at physical attributes but also at the issues such as mental health and stress. These are not quick fixes that can be cured with a couple of tablets. While the force has become younger, we still have deficit of the force even at the old requirement. Likewise, the body clock after a period of time starts' clicking after prolonged abuse and thus obesity and high cholesterol comes in," said a doctor involved in the survey. In the last survey, police have also found patients of AIDS and some chronic diseases that never came to fore before. Officials added that policemen prefer not to undergo treatment or disclose ailments. "Thus, many turned up reluctantly for the survey. We expect a bit better result in time to come if the recruitment continues," said officials.
The project was conceptualized in April last year after Ahmedabad police and AMA officials decided to go for an organized check-up plan covering all aspects of well-being. The move was also significant due to greying force and rise in lifestyle diseases among them.
Dr Pragnesh Vachharajani said the setup was formed to cater to all six zones of the city police in collaboration with the Police Hospital at Shahibaug. "The test covered physical examination, eye examination, ECG, urine sugar, blood pressure for longer periods and pulmonary check-up for traffic police," he said. The primary tests were conducted in October after which data collection and analysis started.
After a year-long exercise, the AMA and city police claim to have covered 77% of the present strength of the city police. The results did throw some surprises. Dr Mehul Shah stated that out of the total patients, 1,200 were diagnosed with hypertension, 499 with diabetes, 54 with eyesight problem and 55 with respiratory problem.
Interestingly, 55% policemen were not found to be suffering from any ailment, whereas additional 15% were having minor addictions. Thus, the medical examiners stated that 70% of the force is fighting fit. It's surely an encouraging result for the city police as over the time, the policemen have been diagnosed as a problematic lot as far as health is concerned.
Sanjay Shrivastav, joint commissioner of police (headquarters), said that after the first phase of the project, they are going to digitize the database for future reference so that the same person's data can be tracked over the period of time. "We are also creating awareness for health insurance for police and their family members. Those who have been diagnosed with health issues will follow up with the Police Hospital in close coordination with the AMA," he said.
What ails men in khaki
Ahmedabad: Last year, more than 10 policemen died of heart attack while on duty in various parts of the state.
When a police constable used to get inducted into the state police force before the new recruitment rules came into effect, they were expected to run 1,600 metres in six minutes, jumping 4.5 feet high and leaping 16 feet to prove their physical prowess. However, a decade in service and they would start battling health problems before taking on crime on the streets.
Alarm bells started ringing after the first health check-up was conducted by doctors in 2007, where more than half of the policemen were found to be obese, suffering from joint problems and having high blood pressure and sugar levels. Officials attributed it to stretched working hours, unhealthy food habits, addictions like tobacco, smoking and sometimes liquor and high stress levels.
Over the years, the scenario has not changed. Even in 2011 health survey covering 7,000 policemen, doctors found diabetes, high blood pressure, low haemoglobin and kidney diseases common among police personnel, along with job specific ailments such as breathing problems in traffic policemen and orthopaedic issues in personnel with sedentary job profiles. The only silver lining was the average health was a bit better due to induction of younger force.
The latest report, however, has completely overturned the picture where more than 50% of policemen have been declared healthy.
Changing profile
Health surveys have found that over the period the disease profile has underwent a change. "We do not just look at physical attributes but also at the issues such as mental health and stress. These are not quick fixes that can be cured with a couple of tablets. While the force has become younger, we still have deficit of the force even at the old requirement. Likewise, the body clock after a period of time starts' clicking after prolonged abuse and thus obesity and high cholesterol comes in," said a doctor involved in the survey. In the last survey, police have also found patients of AIDS and some chronic diseases that never came to fore before. Officials added that policemen prefer not to undergo treatment or disclose ailments. "Thus, many turned up reluctantly for the survey. We expect a bit better result in time to come if the recruitment continues," said officials.
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