Bareilly: The four-day Youth Health Fair being organized by Shri Ram Murti Smarak (SRMS) Medical College to mark its 24th Foundation Anniversary continued to attract a large number of participants on its third day, with more than 3,500 young people availing themselves of free health screening services over the first three days of the event.
According to organizers, more than 1,000 visitors attended the fair on the opening day, while the second day witnessed participation from over 1,500 youths. The growing turnout reflects increasing awareness among young people regarding preventive healthcare and lifestyle-related diseases.
A major highlight of the third day was an awareness session featuring specialists from various medical disciplines, who addressed emerging health concerns among the younger generation and emphasized the importance of adopting healthy lifestyle practices.
Speaking during the session, Dr. Neelima Mehrotra, Head of the Ophthalmology Department, said that modern lifestyles are affecting nearly every organ of the body, including the eyes. She described excessive mobile phone usage as one of the biggest threats to eye health, particularly among children.
“Parents often unknowingly harm their children’s eyesight by allowing prolonged mobile phone use at a very young age. Watching reels and videos in a dark room before sleeping is becoming a major reason behind deteriorating vision,” she said.
Dr. Mehrotra advised participants to minimize screen exposure and avoid mobile phone usage for at least two hours before bedtime. She also cautioned people to seek medical advice if they experience symptoms such as dry eyes, redness or excessive watering.
Sharing a practical tip for digital users, she recommended the “20-20-20 Rule” — looking at an object approximately 20 meters away for 20 seconds after every 20 minutes of screen use, along with regularly splashing clean water on the eyes.
ENT specialist Dr. Ambalika Singh warned against prolonged use of earphones and headphones. She explained that continuous exposure to loud audio can damage auditory nerves, and such damage is often irreversible.
“Keep the volume at a level where the person sitting next to you cannot hear the sound from your device,” she advised, urging youngsters to use earphones responsibly and limit listening durations.
Addressing reproductive and family health concerns, gynecologist Dr. Kaneez Fatima expressed concern over the increasing trend of delayed marriages due to changing lifestyles and career priorities. She noted that pregnancies at an advanced maternal age may carry higher health risks for both parents and children.
She highlighted that the likelihood of genetic conditions such as Down syndrome increases with advancing parental age and suggested that marriage before the age of 30 may be beneficial from a health perspective.
Mental health expert Dr. Rupali Rohatgi focused on the rising incidence of stress, anxiety and depression linked to modern lifestyles. She emphasized that mental illnesses should be treated with the same seriousness as physical ailments.
“Just as the body can become ill, the mind can also suffer from disease. Stress, depression and emotional strain are increasing rapidly due to unhealthy lifestyle patterns. Timely consultation with qualified professionals and positive lifestyle changes are essential,” she said.
Physician Dr. Deepak Das stressed the importance of adult vaccination in preventing lifestyle-related and infectious diseases. He informed participants that vaccines are available for illnesses such as Hepatitis B, pneumonia and herpes-related infections, and adults should ensure they are adequately protected.
Dr. Das also described obesity as a “package of diseases,” noting that excess abdominal fat significantly increases the risk of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders and several other chronic conditions.
“Without reducing belly fat, it is unrealistic to expect complete health. Tackling obesity is the foundation of a healthier life,” he said, encouraging young people to move away from excessive dependence on social media and reconnect with real-life activities and physical fitness.
Physiotherapist Dr. Shivang Chaudhary emphasized the importance of regular exercise and yoga in maintaining overall health and preventing lifestyle disorders. He advised participants to make physical activity a daily habit to improve strength, flexibility and mental well-being.
The Youth Health Fair has emerged as a significant public health initiative, combining free medical screenings with expert guidance on preventive healthcare. Organizers said the event aims to educate young people about common health risks and encourage them to adopt healthier habits at an early stage of life.
With one day of the fair still remaining, SRMS Medical College expects participation figures to rise further, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to community health awareness and preventive medicine.
Report by Akhilesh Chandra Saxena, Bareilly
