TMB Report
Imphal: Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr. Sapam Ranjan Singh has said that the problem of water scarcity is related to climate change and stressed on the need for a close analysis on human health issues impacted by climate change.
The Minister was speaking as Chief Guest on the occasion of State Level Workshop on Strengthening Urban Primary Health Care organized by Directorate of Health Services and State Health Society at Sangai
hall of Hotel Imphal on Sunday. Maintaining that climate change and environment degradation has caused a critical situation to the people, the minister said Climate change has also affected human health including mental health. Water from Loktak lake is being lifted up to Malom, Imphal West, through River Lift Irrigation for supplying to the public. This is an issue caused by the environment degradation, the minister contended.
Contending that the effects of climate change as far as the healthcare is concerned has reached an alarming stage, he said that the amount of deforestation has ultimately led to the drying up of water sources mainly ponds, rivers in the state. Without water, PHED will not be able to function properly and that water related issues have also raised concern on human health .
He urged the people to follow the campaign launched by the government to plant more trees in order to conserve our environment.
He said that urban health care service is a turning point which makes a new challenge to the public health care system. The government is also taking necessary steps to prevent outbreak of diseases in the urban areas where there are dense population. Organizing workshops on such topics such as climate change and human health will help to enlighten the medical professionals and general public to bring ecological balance, minister informed.
He lauded the initiative of PATH nad National Health Mission for organising the workshop and appealed to members of health department to work together as there is need for coordination which will help the
people of the state.
Speaking as President, Additional Chief Secretary, Shri V. Vumlunmang, IAS, stated that health insurance schemes have been introduced in the state for improving health facilities of the public. The health staffs need to interact with the urban people and address their issues in time. Health care in urban areas is really a challenge, he added.
Director, NHM, Manipur, Dr. Somorjit Ningombam and Dr. Swathi Mahajan of PATH graced the occasion as Guests of Honor. Officials from, Health Department and State Health Society, doctors and others were also present during the inaugural function.
Projects on strengthening Urban Health Care in Manipur, Chatbot on Mental Health and State Action
Plan for Climate Change and Health were also launched by the dignitaries as a part of the occasion.
