New Delhi: The government is planning to rope in health and nutrition experts to study living pattern of tribals, including Jarawas of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, in an effort to reduce their susceptibility to diseases.
Observing that the immunity of tribals and forest dwellers in the country is an area of concern, Tribal Affairs Minister V Kishore Chandra Deo told PTI that “utmost importance” should be given to their health needs. Replying to a question on various tribes being susceptible to epidemics and genetic disorders, Deo said, “Basically, they would need to be immunised and probably the medical experts and anthropologists will have to study and tell us how they existed all these years and what needs to be done now.”
Probably they (tribals) have their own medicines to deal with their diseases, unless some new disease have appeared in their areas, he added.
“I think utmost importance should be given to that area to ensure that their immunity increases. Probably nutrition is another thing which can do this and their existence,” the Minister said. (PTI)