Surveillance body studies climate change impacts
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 27 2019:
With the State Health Department, under the National Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health, approving the formation of governing body for Climate Change and Health and State Level Task Force for Environmental Health and Climate Changes, the 4th State Surveillance Committee meeting was held at Imphal Hotel today.
Principal Secretary (Health) Vumlunmang, Health Services Director Dr K Rajo and Regional Director RoH & FM, Dr N Inaoba, attended the event as the presidium members.
Speaking at the event, Vumlunmang said that the drastic climate change due to human activities, has resulted in the emergence of ailments, diseases and viruses and bacteria which were unheard of before.
This is a new threat to the people which needs proper understanding, he said adding that the best course of action will be to take up various preventive measures for the safety of the public.
Stressing on the need of various departments to have a multi sectorial and multi jurisdictional approach towards the said problem, Vumlunmang said that it is important for the technical experts to make the people properly aware of the adverse impacts of climate change and temperature fluctuations.
The Principal Secretary continued that when it comes to the diseases which are a result of the alarming climate change, the recent outbreak of Nipa virus in a more advanced State like Kerala comes to mind.
It is necessary to implement a rapid response measure to tend to such incidents in case such an outbreak happens in the State, he added.
He also explained that the State needs only the much needed mechanism, technology and communication to combat these situations.