New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) Integrating universal screening for depression in India's primary healthcare system could be expected to generate a net savings of Rs 291 billion to Rs 482 billion, a study published in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia has estimated.

Researchers, including those from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh and National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru, said the savings is equivalent to 0.19 per cent to 0.32 per cent of the country's gross domestic product.

People aged 20 and older would be cheaper to screen than those above 30, the study found.

The researchers also noted that the screening programme could save money if at least 60 per cent of patients receiving treatment go thr

See Full Page