Imphal: Health & IPR Minister Dr. Sapam Ranjan Singh has said that the problem of water scarcity is related to climate change. The Minister was speaking as Chief Guest on the occasion of a state level workshop on strengthening urban primary health care organised by the Directorate of Health Services and State Health Society here on Monday.
The minister said that climate change and environmental degradation have caused a critical situation for the people. Climate change has also affected human health, including mental health. Water from Loktak Lake is being lifted up to Malom, Imphal West, through River Lift Irrigation for supply to the public. This is an issue caused by environmental degradation, he added.
He said that urban health care service is a turning point that poses a new challenge to the public health care system. The government is also taking necessary steps to prevent outbreaks of diseases in urban areas where there is a dense population. Organising workshops on such topics as climate change and human health will help to enlighten medical professionals and the general public and bring ecological balance, the minister informed.
Speaking as President, Additional Chief Secretary, V. Vumlunmang, IAS, stated that health insurance schemes have been introduced in the state for improving the health facilities of the public. The health staff needs to interact with the urban population and address their issues in a timely manner. Health care in urban areas is really a challenge, he added.
Projects on strengthening urban health care in Manipur, a chatbot on mental health, and a state action plan for climate change and health were also launched as part of the occasion.
