Health messages ring out through Manipur
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 07 2010: Manipur joined the rest of the world in observing the World Health Day today in different parts of the State.

Vision Foundation Manipur and Kangla Accupressure observed the World Health Day at Hotel Nirmala today.

The observance organised under the theme, urbanisation and health, was conducted with the sponsorship from MACS.

Speaking as chief guest in the function, RIMS Gastrointestinal and Minimal Access Surgery Associate Professor, Dr Aribam Devadutta Sharma said that awareness on urban health must be given to children as well.

If children are not aware of their health care, problems would be evident after 20-30 years in urban areas.

Giving the keynote address, JNIMS Staff Nurse Neitam Kipgen said that Government must spread awareness to both rural and urban populace as even urban people are prone to many diseases owing to greater population.

Manipur Voluntary Health Association (MVHA) also observed World Health Day at its conference hall today.

Dignitaries at the World Health Day at hotel Nirmala

MLA Dr I Ibohalbi and MVHA President Y Surchandra graced the occasion as chief guest and functional president respectively.

MACS Project Director (Technical) Dr Kh Pramodkumar, Regional Health and Family Welfare Department Regional Director Dr N Inaoba and RIMS Psychiatric Department Associate Professor Dr RK Lenin and UNICEF State Consultant Arun Meitram were seated at the dais as guests of honour.

Speaking at the function organised under the theme '1000 Cities, 1000 Lives', Dr I Ibohalbi pointed out that keeping healthy of urban populace has become a great challenge to the Government with the advent of urbanisation.

Maintaining that the Government has to prepare proper plans in this regard, the MLA said that problems like greater population, lack of space, water scarcity, lack of dumping ground, noise pollution give bad effects to the people living in urban areas.

Dr Lenin while speaking in the function opined that it has become a must to deliberate on whether people residing in urban areas are leading a healthy life or not.

Dr Lenin said, as an effect of urbanisation, people from different parts of the State are rushing towards urban areas to grab the opportunities available there.

But the rate of people suffering from stress and tension related illness is increasing in urban areas, he added.

Informing that different types of stresses like poverty, unemployment, frustration, monetary demands, time constraint are being faced by urban populace, Dr Lenin added that these people become victims of depression as they do not mingle much with neighbours or surrounding people to share their woes.

While saying that every type of pollution is evident in Imphal as well Dr Pramodkumar expressed concern that air pollution, water pollution and noise pollution may prove to be dangerous to the health of urban populace if the State Government is not fully aware of its possible ill effects.

Arun Meitram while speaking in the function said that developing better roads, health care system and education system in rural areas would control made rush in urban areas.

Dr N Inaoba opined that providing safe drinking water is the best way to enhance health in urban areas.

In observing World Health Day, Churachandpur today not only marked it as a medical gesture for its citizens but also accommodated the adjacent villages in Myanmar to receive the benefit, reports our correspondent.

The State Medical Department under the initiative of the Chief Medical Office here organised a medical camp in the border village to mark the occasion since yesterday.

More than 13 medical doctors, including those from the Assam Rifles provided medical examination to the villagers.

As the news of organising the medical camp spread to the adjoining villages in Myanmar, people from the area scurried to receive the free medical check-ups across the border.

Dr Singkhozam, the CMO said that the camp at Behiang was successful in enrolling more than a thousand patients in two days.

"People from Myanmar added flavour as we can't deny them of the facility.

It seems they never had such an opportunity in their country," he said.

Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur, Jacintha Lazarus also visited the border village on the closing day of the medical camp.

The Subsidiary Training Centre of the BSF located here also observed the day by organizing free medical check-ups including dental for families and children of the troops inside their camp.

They also donated blood for the district blood bank at District Hospital Churachandpur.