In the scenario of corona pandemic wreaking havoc for over a year and challenging the very existence of mankind, health issues have come to the forefront in an unprecedented manner. Despite the efforts of the healthcare facilities, occurrence of various communicable and non-communicable diseases is on the rise.
The World Health Organisation defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Thus, for eradicating various health problems and attaining the state of wellness, people not only have to deal with the disease-causing pathogens but also think of healthy diet as well as the quality of environment.
Food being the source of energy and nutrients for carrying out basic functions of the body and for sustenance of life, right kinds of food and balanced diet, including fresh fruits, leafy vegetables, fish, egg and milk are very much essential to stay in fine fettle. Besides, the health of an individual is directly influenced by the excellence of its environment which is governed by various physical, chemical and biological components. Hence, the need is to spend life in a pollution-free, garbage-free, green, safe and healthy environment.
Experts opined this while participating in a webinar on the theme ‘Building a fairer, healthier world’ organised on the World Health Day under the auspices of the Orissa Environmental Society (OES) here on Wednesday.
OES president Dr Sundara Narayana Patro chaired the celebration while ICMR-RMRC Bhubaneswar Director Dr Sanghamitra Pati was chief speaker.
Dr Pati elucidated the significance of the day in the context of prevalence of Covid-19. She said overall health is achieved through a combination of physical, mental, emotional, social and environmental wellbeing. The inequalities existing in the society among different groups of people and the discrimination experienced on the basis of gender, ethnicity or otherwise should not be reflected while providing quality healthcare services.
Among others, Dr Seba Mohapatra, former Health Director; Dr T Badrinarayan, cardiologist; and Dr Bipin Bihari Panda also emphasised on the role of nutritious food, pollution-free environment and active lifestyle for maintaining good health.
In his presidential remarks, Dr Patro stressed on the need to eradicate the occurrence of non-communicable diseases, which are byproducts of the modern civilisation. OES secretary Dr Jaya Krushna Panigrahi narrated the enhancing deterioration in the quality of environment and its impacts on disease occurrence and human health. A vote of thanks was offered by vice-president Dr Lala AK Singh.