Summary
The programme was aimed at motivating, educating and engaging medical students to spread awareness about air pollution
The initiative was supported by South Asian Medical Students Association (SAMSA) and Asian Medical Students Association (AMSA)
Students of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, attended a workshop on clean air organised by SwitchON Foundation to mark World Health Day.
The initiative was supported by South Asian Medical Students Association (SAMSA) and Asian Medical Students Association (AMSA).
The primary idea behind the programme was to motivate, educate and engage medical students with their patients, fraternity members, general public and policy-makers on health impacts of air pollution. SwitchON believes this would lead to greater awareness and demand for cleaner air and action resulting in the formulation of new policies, modification of the existing one and implementation of laws to reduce air pollution.
Students from RIMS, Ranchi, took part in the workshop along with eminent doctors, including RIMS director Kameshwar Prasad, and head of the department of preventive and social medicine, Vidyasagar.
Medical students who attended the workshop are expected to spread awareness among other medical students, youth and the society by conducting at least 10 workshops and sensitising at least 500 individuals. They would also have the opportunity to undertake studies and health camps under the guidance of esteemed doctors / medical professionals under SwitchON’s Doctor Forum for Clean Air Network.
Over 99.3% of India’s population breathes polluted air that is above the standards set by WHO. According to the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI), an average Indian could increase life expectancy by 6.3 years, if the WHO guidelines on air quality are met.
“This programme comes at the right time when we are facing many new diseases and a New Normal for health in current times. We need more research and action from medical fraternity to combat climate change issue. This event is opening doors for doctors and medical students to speak out and contribute towards clean and sustainable future,” Kameshwar Prasad said.
Speaking on the occasion, Atri Gangopadhyay, east zone governor and national spokesperson, Chest Council of India, said: “World Health Day promotes health education in all fields for a healthy world.”
A woman holds a placard on right to clean air during the seminar at RIMS, Ranchi. RIMS
Presenting her research on climate change and human health, Apoorva Wasnik of Pt. JNM Medical College, Raipur, said air pollution has deeply impacted the lives of the marginalised communities of Jharkhand, especially in the mining areas.
Deepak Bara, senior project manager, SwitchON Foundation Jharkhand said the primary objective of the programme is to create a group of future medical practitioners who would learn about the relevant issues of air pollution and create awareness, thus enabling necessary policy action and citizen empowerment across state.
“World Health Day is a timely and necessary reminder to the existential threat that ecological degradation poses to planetary and human health. Medical students, who are the future of healthcare experts, can make a significant contribution in this awareness,” Bara said.
Last updated on 11 Apr 2022
