- “Reduce daily screen time to one hour and increase sports and exercise to one hour” — Dr. Surya Kant
- Health Awareness Day observed at the Department of Respiratory Medicine, KGMU
Lucknow: A health awareness program was organized on the occasion of World Health Day at the Department of Respiratory Medicine, King George’s Medical University (KGMU). The World Health Organization observes World Health Day every year on April 7 to mark its foundation day. This day is celebrated to raise awareness about the importance of health and to recognize the contributions of doctors. Each year, a specific health theme is selected to spread awareness globally. This year’s theme is “Healthy Together, Stand with Science.” It emphasizes that unity and scientific thinking are both crucial in combating diseases.
Addressing the awareness program, the Head of the Department, Dr. Surya kant, stated that according to the World Health Organization, the top 10 global causes of disease include cardiovascular diseases (ischemic heart disease, stroke), respiratory diseases (COVID-19, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower respiratory infections), neonatal conditions, cancers of the trachea, bronchus, and lung, Alzheimer’s and dementia, diarrhea, diabetes, and liver and kidney diseases. Globally, 7 out of the top 10 causes of death are non-communicable diseases, accounting for 38% of all deaths or 68% among the top 10 causes.
In India, approximately 10 crore people suffer from hypertension and heart disease, 10 crore from respiratory illnesses, and 10 crore from diabetes, while around 7 lakh new cancer cases are reported annually. Every fourth TB patient in the world is from India. Statistics also suggest that India has one of the highest numbers of mental health patients, with one in every three individuals affected. According to the WHO, around 13 million deaths occur globally each year due to environmental factors, many of which are preventable.
Dr. Surya kant further emphasized that unhealthy lifestyles, lack of exercise and yoga, and consumption of fast food contribute significantly to poor health. In contrast, the traditional Indian diet is rich in health benefits. During the summer season, to prevent dehydration, people should consume cucumber, muskmelon, and watermelon. Instead of cold drinks and packaged juices, seasonal fruits and traditional beverages like buttermilk, lassi, lemonade, coconut water, bael juice, and sugarcane juice should be preferred. Sattu is also particularly beneficial during this season.
He added that the old saying, “A healthy mind resides in a healthy body,” holds true. For the progress of any nation, its people must be healthy and happy. A prosperous nation can only be built by healthy individuals. Measures such as increased plantation, avoiding smoking/tobacco and substance abuse, promoting public transport, using eco-friendly fuels, walking and cycling, using clean cooking fuel, avoiding plastic, and adopting a healthy lifestyle with traditional food, yoga, and exercise are essential.
In conclusion, Dr. Surya kant advised that for a healthy life, one should reduce daily screen time to one hour and increase physical activity and sports to at least one hour daily.
On this occasion, the Vice Chancellor of KGMU, Prof. Sonia Nityanand, conveyed her message that science should be effectively utilized for promoting health awareness.
The program was attended by faculty members including Dr. R. A. S. Kushwaha, Dr. Santosh Kumar, Dr. Rajeev Garg, Dr. Darshan Kumar Bajaj, Dr. Jyoti Bajpai, Dr. Ankit Kumar, Dr. Manjeet, Dr. Pankhuri, Dr. Tushar, along with junior doctors, healthcare workers, and attendants of admitted patients.
