Maharashtra MLAs, MLCs to undergo BMI test

MUMBAI: Members of the Lower and Upper houses of Maharashtra Assembly and state government employees will undergo Body Mass Index (BMI) test, Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan has said.

"Obesity is a serious disease. We will conduct the test for MLAs and MLCs whose working hours are erratic. The test will be helpful to them to undertake corrective steps," the minister said.

He said the medical education department has already undertaken awareness and sensitisation campaign for breast cancer and organ donations in the state.

"Hence, we have decided to take up the matter further and conduct the BMI test. As a part of it, the state will hold BMI test of officials and 288 MLAs during the Assembly's winter session in Nagpur," Mahajan said.

"We have found that many women from rural areas are not aware of breast cancer. We are planning to conduct test of at least 2.5 lakh women from rural areas for breast cancer, so that medication for those diagnosed positive for the disease starts immediately," he said.