Conclave highlights need to address climate change
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 15 2025: Stressing that the report published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) predicting around 2.5 lakh deaths per year from 2030 to 2050 due to climate change is critical; Shija Hospital and Research Institute chairman cum managing director Dr Palin Khundongbam has said that spreading awareness about climate change amongst the masses and understanding its implications, is the only way to prevent the same.

He made the statement on the occasion of the 1st AHPICON NE II Conclave organised on the theme of "Impact of Climate Change on Human Health" by Association of Healthcare Providers (India) Manipur chapter at City Convention, Palace Compound here on Saturday.

Conclave highlights need to address climate change

Dr Palin, who is also the organising chairman of the Conclave, said that the effects of climate change can be felt distinctly in present times such as the occurrences of flash floods, droughtlike situations, and storms.

He also noted that climate change had brought numerous risks to human health, whether it may be vector-borne, water borne and air-borne diseases, and also on mental health.

As a result, the need to rebuild hospital structures will arise after the next ten years, he cautioned.

Meanwhile, as per a report by the WHO, around 2.5 lakh people will die due to climate change factors per year from 2030 to 2050 .

"This should not be taken lightly and requires the concerted efforts of everyone," he said adding that doctors also play an important role in this regard and are trying their level best to address the same.

He then revealed that various resolutions would be taken during the conflict, which would then be recommended to the government so as to formulate suitable policies.

In his speech, Directorate of Environment and Climate Change director Dr T Braja kumar said that as per the records, 2024 was the hottest year recorded since 1880, quoting NASA administrator Bill Nelson.

He continued that climate change has become the biggest environment problem in present times.

The sixth assessment of Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has stated that the changes brought on by climate change are getting more terrifying and picking up speed compared to the past.

"This is a matter of grave concern and as such, the stakeholders concerned need to bring their minds together to fend off the effects of climate change".

In context of Manipur, the director said that amongst the states in the Himalayan region, Manipur is picking up speed with regard to climate change and urged all to protect and conserve the forests.

The Conclave was also attended by RIMS ex-director and ex-MLA, Prof Ng Bijoy; RIMS director Prof G Sunil Kumar; AHPI founder and patron Dr Alexander Thomas; AHPICON 2025 Reception Committee chairperson Dr Sorokhaibam Jugindra; organising secretary Dr Khumanthem Ratankumar and joint organising secretary Dr James Elangbam as presidium members.

As part of Conclave, the dignitaries released souvenir "Nonggoubi", with Pramod Ningombam as the editor.

Prizes were distributed to the winners of essay writing, debate, painting and extempore speech competitions organised on the theme of 'Climate Change & Human Health' .

Certificates were also distributed to four state journalists who were awarded the AHPI Medical Media Fellowship.

Ngangom Suraj, a sub-editor of The People's Chronicle, was one the fellows who was awarded the certificate.