Water scarcity relates with climate change: Ranjan

Imphal: Manipur Health minister Dr. Sapam Ranjan Singh has said that the problem of water scarcity is related to climate change, on the occasion of State Level Workshop on Strengthening Urban Primary Health Care organised by Directorate of Health Services and State Health Society at Sangai hall of Hotel Imphal, on Monday.

Minister said that climate change and environment degradation has caused a critical situation to 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 supplying to the public. This is an issue caused by the environment degradation, he added.

He said that urban health care service is a turning point which makes a new challenge to the public health care system. The government is also taking necessary steps to prevent outbreak of diseases in the urban areas where there are dense population. Organizing workshops on such topics such as climate change and human health will help to enlighten the medical professionals and general public to bring ecological balance, the minister informed.

Additional chief secretary V. Vumlunmang, IAS, stated that health insurance schemes have been introduced in the state for improving health facilities of the public. The health staff need to interact with the urban people and address their issues in time. Health care in urban areas is really a challenge, he added.

Director, NHM, Manipur, Dr. Somorjit Ningombam and Dr. Swathi Mahajan of PATH graced the occasion as guests of honor. Officials from, Health department and State Health Society, doctors and others were also present during the inaugural function. Projects on strengthening Urban Health Care in Manipur, Chatbot on Mental Health and State Action Plan for Climate Change and Health were also launched.