RONO HILLS, Mar 18: A national seminar and awareness camp on ‘recent trends on common lifestyle diseases and awareness among the youths of Arunachal Pradesh,’ was jointly organized by the Zoology department of Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) and Tamil Nadu-based Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), here on Friday.
Coordinator of the programme Dr Arnab Ghosh, stated that the aim of the seminar was to disseminate knowledge and create awareness about “lifestyle diseases”, such as heart diseases, stroke, obesity, type-2 diabetes, and cancer.
“These non-communicable diseases are rapidly becoming the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. The prevalence and impact of these conditions can no longer be ignored or side-lined,” he said.
The seminar was attended by 130 participants, including faculty, PhD research Scholars and MSc students.
Head of Zoology department Dr Daniel Mize, in his welcome address, emphasised the importance of the seminar on the social aspect of Arunachal Pradesh and briefly highlighted the activities and achievements of the department.
RGU VC Prof Saket Khuswaha, in his message mentioned that “the state which is passing through the phase of rapid societal transition with indiscriminate acceptance of modernized lifestyle among the youth can lead to the similar impact of burden as is evident in the global scenario.
“As a remedial measure, strengthening the current public health recommendations for the observance of healthy lifestyle habits is of utmost importance,” the VC added.
Director of Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Science (TRIHMS), Dr Moji Jini in his address, highlighted the dos and don’ts of avoiding lifestyle diseases and the status of non-communicable diseases in the state.
He also proposed future collaborative proposals for research and development among the two pioneering educational institutions.
RGU Registrar Dr N T Rikam, responded to this proposal and expressed his thoughts on the positive impact of collaborative work for the common interest of Arunachal Pradesh.
Information brochures describing the risk factors and management options of lifestyle diseases were distributed among all the participants and discussed with them through an awareness camp.
In the first technical session, Prof Soma Banerjee, from the Center for Liver Research, School of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Kolkata, dwelt on the topic “Genetic Factors as Predictor of Alcoholic Liver Diseases and Novel Therapeutic Challenges”.
The next technical session was addressed by Mairembam Stelin Singh and Dr Nikhil Kumar Mahnot from RGU.
In his keynote address, Prof Satinath Mukhopadhyay, an Endocrinologist from the Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata spoke on “The burden of diabetes in India”.
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