Indian Express
07 April 2010
Ludhiana, India

Urbanisation is responsible for many health challenges –those related to water, environment, violence, injury, non–communicable diseases and other risk factors like tobacco and alcohol use and unhealthy diet.

Keeping this in mind, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has given the theme of “Urbanisation and Health” for this year for the World Health Day. This was stated by Dr Rajinder Gulati, Medical Officer (Pediatrics), Civil Hospital, Raikot. “The theme is in recognition with the effects of urbanisation on our collective health globally and for us all individually. Over three billion people live in cities. In 2007, the world’s population living in cities crossed 50 per cent for the first time in history, and this proportion is growing. By 2030, six out of every 10 peo ple will be city dwellers, rising to seven out of every 10 people by 2050,” Dr Gulati said. “Urbanisation is here to stay – it is an irreversible trend that is now part of the world in which we live.” Dr Gulati, who is also the executive board member of the Central Indian Academy of Pediatrics, said, “1,000 cities1,000 lives – Urban Health Matters’ is the slogan for the World Health Day 2010.

This campaign encourages cities and individuals to work across multiple agencies with a wide range of partners to have the most lasting impact on health.” City hospitals, meanwhile, are also organising campaigns on the occasion. Assistant Civil Surgeon Dr Y P Mehta said, “We are holding an awareness lecture at ITI Ghumar Mandi and an awareness rally at the Civil Hospital.” The DMCH is organising an awareness walk and will offer medical tests at the Rose Garden.