Looking at the issues of population health vulnerabilities in climate hotspot locations bordering the Bay of Bengal, an international webinar on “Environmental linkages to population health and wellbeing in coastal areas in the Bay of Bengal” was held on July 20.
It aimed to highlight the opportunities in the region to reduce population health vulnerabilities emerging from increasing climate-related risks. It involved a group of researchers based at multiple institutions from the UK, Thailand, India and Bangladesh,
The webinar was the third in the series and the first in India steered by development consultant and research manager, India, Amalin Patnaik to seek remote consultations with important stakeholders with focus on key parts of the coastal Bay of Bengal.
Discussion was held on various related issues pertaining to the coastal regions of Odisha and exploring untapped potentials to mitigate some of the current challenges and vulnerabilities.
Prof Sugata Hazra from the Jadavpur University and Dr Papiya Mazumdar from the University of York are the principal investigators of the project.
Additional Director Health, Odisha, Dr PKB Patnaik explained the environmental linkage to health in the coastal areas with the most important health determinant of population by citing the Panch Tatva and stated that increased vector, food, and water-borne diseases remain a persistent concern.
SOA University Professor Dr E Venkata Rao stressed on mass media campaigns for action among Governments and international agencies.
“Climate-induced disasters pose a significant challenge to health; and the Government should design health policies accordingly,” said SCB Medical College Associate Professor Dr Sikata Nanda,
Journalist and climate researcher Sudarshan Chhotoray elucidated the role of civil society in responding to climate change impacts in the coastal areas of Bay of Bengal.
Among others, Oxfam India regional manager Akshaya Biswal, Sambalpur University Environmental Science Professor Malay Mahananda and public health specialist Rudra Prasad Pradhan strongly advocated for community engagement in the planning process.