By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The consumption of tobacco and practice of unhealthy methods which are the source of different of diseases including cancer is a deep rooted problem of the people of the state, a renowned doctor of Shillong, Dr DS Sethi specialist in cardio-vascular medicine said, adding, “This is where we have failed”.
Dr Sethi who was speaking at the 10th anniversary celebration of Bethany Hospital here on Thursday said it is a pity that fruits and vegetables are beyond the reach of most people while calories have become cheap.
“The increase in consumption of unhealthy food has put a great stress on health providers. Unhealthy food and drinks which are popular among the youth are getting cheaper and are easily available while traditional food is beyond reach,” Dr Sethi said.
Pointing out this fact, Dr Sethi said while people in urban centres are afflicted by lifestyle diseases in the rural areas people continue to die of treatable diseases due to dearth of health care services and medicines.
Dr Sethi said in developed countries like the US it is an accepted fact that 50% parents will attend the funeral of their children since obesity which is linked to heart diseases is on the rise.
Commenting on the health scenario in the state, Dr Sethi said much more needed to be done by the state government to augment health care facilities in the rural areas.
India ranks very low in health indicators Sethi said adding that Bangladesh considered to be an under developed country has overtaken India in health indices.
He also informed that Meghalaya continues to battle diseases like malaria, meningitis and rickettsial infection which claim many lives in certain seasons of the year.
Dr Sethi urged young doctors who have taken the pledge to serve humankind to reach out to the rural areas to save lives.