SHILLONG, May 19: Ninety five per cent of chronic diseases reported in Meghalaya is due to people’s eating habits, according to Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare & Commissioner (Food Safety), Sampath Kumar.
Kumar was speaking at the Eat Right Mela organised by the office of the Commissioner of Food Safety on the State Central Library premises on Thursday.
In his inaugural address as the chief guest, Kumar said programmes like this are necessary to sensitise the general public on the benefits of eating right or eating healthy.
He also urged the attendees to go for annual medical check-ups in order to ensure a healthy life.
Stating that health in India is a state subject, he informed the gathering that Meghalaya had launched a state health policy after deliberating with various stakeholders continuously on a weekly basis.
This policy has three essential factors — preventive or promoting health, curative and enabling, he added.
He also stressed on the need for physical exercises in order to tackle illnesses and praised the office for conducting a walkathon, which, he opined, will go a long way in motivating the public to engage themselves in promoting physical activities in their daily life.
Earlier, Chief Secretary RV Suchiang had flagged off the walkathon from Madan Iewrynghep which culminated on the premises of the State Central Library.
