|
The Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss today sought the cooperation of the media in spreading health awareness in the country. He was speaking after releasing the 8th annual issue and 100th issue of AROGYA MASIKHA, a Malayalam monthly on health issues.
He said while the media was playing an effective role in reporting outbreak of diseases and deaths, there was a need for a more pro-active role in spreading awareness on how to lead a healthy life and prevent diseases. He said, the UPA Government had launched a number of schemes for meeting the public health needs of the people especially in rural areas. The Integrated Disease Surveillance Project was started with the aim to monitor important disease patterns and report any outbreak. The Government has also started a World Bank aided capacity addition programme for the food and drug sector, he said.
Apart from communicable diseases, the Government was also gearing up to tackle non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cardio-vascular diseases which are life style related, he said. He called upon media to spread awareness on good eating habits and good life style which would help to prevent a large number of diseases.
The Minister announced the launch of the National Rural Health Mission by the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh here tomorrow and said that the mission will change the dimensions of rural health facilities in the country. The mission is to be launched in 18states where health parameters and health indexes were low and there was high prevalence of infant and maternal diseases.
EK/MK.
|
