Amity Institute of Public Health (AIPH), Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, organized a National Summit on Public Health on the theme ‘Towards A Healthy India: A Public Health’, from 21st to 22nd April, 2022, on virtual platform. Eminent Scientists from India and abroad will be participating, to share their vast domain knowledge and research experience as Guest Speakers during various sessions.
Speaking about lung diseases in India, Chief Guest, Dr Kuldeep Singh Sachdeva, Regional Director - The Union South-East Asia at International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, averred, “Lung diseases are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in India. Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) accounted for 69% of the total cases of communicable diseases before the era of COVID 19. India contributes to 26% of global Tuberculosis burden, i.e., 50 deaths every hour and Lower Respiratory Tract Infection is still the leading cause of death among children under 5 years of age.”
Elucidating about COVID -19 and Lung Health, he further added, “Lung Complications like pneumonia became prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic and people with pre-existing lung diseases are at an increased risk of dying due to COVID-19. There was a steep rise in TB deaths for the first time, after a decade during the pandemic. The risk factors responsible for lung diseases in India include 100% of the country’s population being exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient Precision Medicine and 29% of all adults being consumers of tobacco. Therefore, it is important to increase awareness among the public and policy makers regarding lung health, improve early diagnosis of respiratory diseases through increasing public awareness and take action to control indoor and outdoor air pollution. Free Diagnostics and Free Drugs Scheme, PM Ujjwala Yojana and PM Jan Arogya Yojana are some of the schemes which are helpful in controlling lung diseases, however, still a lot needs to be done in this direction, like strengthening the Primary Health Care System, adapting Comprehensive Lung-Health Program and launching a dedicated program for lung-health at the National level. “
Elaborating on Primary Health Care, Dr. Farzana Islam, Professor & HOD, Department of Community Medicine, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, stated, “Primary health care comprises of essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable methods and technology made universally accessible to individuals and families in the community through their full participation and at a cost that the community and the country can afford to maintain. Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana a national public health insurance fund of the Government of India aims to provide free access to health insurance coverage for low-income earners in the country and aids in promoting Primary Health Care in India.”
Addressing the gathering on this occasion, Prof. (Dr.) Bhudev Chandra Das, Dean, Faculty of Health & Allied Sciences, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, stated, “The importance of having a healthy body and mind cannot be overlooked and it is well acknowledged how health became the most primary concern for all of us, during the pandemic. The Summit will be helpful in spreading awareness regarding major existing health problems and creating a healthy nation for one and all.”
During the two-day summit, various Technical Sessions will be conducted and Scientific Presentations will be made by eminent scientists on different topics, followed by “Q&A” sessions where the queries of the audience will be answered by the Guest Speakers.