Conference studies health impacts of climate change
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 14 2024: All Manipur Medical Conference 2024 was opened today at IMA House, Lamphelpat under the aegis of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Manipur State Branch.

The two-day conference is being held on the theme "Health Impacts of Climate Change: Act Now".

Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function, Health Director Dr Chambo Gonmei said that people in Manipur are also experiencing adverse impacts of climate change on health as seen elsewhere across the world.

As an outcome of the climate change, Manipur witnessed floods several times this year and these floods bred several health problems and diseases.

Climate change also triggered landslides which caused many difficulties to the people.

Emergence of several industrial units is also aggravating the climate change and its impacts on health, Dr Chambo Gonmei said.

Summer months are growing much hotter in Manipur.

Large scale deforestation for construction of houses and other purposes is also aggravating the climate change in Manipur.

Manipur recorded much higher number of dengue cases this year as compared to the preceding years.

The rising temperature is becoming a source of many diseases.

Diseases and health problems which were unheard of earlier have now become a reality in the State, the Health Director said.

It is imperative to understand the diseases and health problems caused by climate change and their preventive measures, he said.

Recently, there were reports of an unknown disease infecting many people in Ukhrul.

Moreover, several diseases which were not heard of for a long time have resurfaced, he said.

Dr Chambo Gonmei also underscored that a clean environment can keep away a large number of health problems and diseases.

IMA Manipur State Branch president Dr RK Lenin said that IMA Manipur State Branch is an association of a large number of doctors in Manipur.

IMA Manipur State Branch was established in 1961.The association has been working to create better relationship between doctors and patients and also to provide health care facilities to people living in remote and far off areas, Dr Lenin said.

He said that around 20 experts/doctors would speak on different aspects of scientific health care during the two-day conference.

It's time for all the people to understand the impacts of climate change on human health, he said.

He called upon all the people to stop using single-use plastics.

"Many vector-borne diseases spread by mosquitoes and flies are emerging in Manipur too.

All of us need to work at our best level to protect the environment", Dr Lenin said.

IMA Manipur State Branch's immediate past president Dr Jogindro Sorokhaibam, reception committee chairman Dr Simpson Sareo, CGP Director Dr Shyamkumar Laishram, CDWC member Dr A Vivekananda Singh and IMA State secretary Dr S Gautam too attended the opening function aS guests of honour.

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