The Department of Public Health observed World Health Day on April 7 with an awareness programme on the health hazards brought about by urbanisation.
Deputy Director of Health Services S. Senthilkumar explained to students of P.P.G. Nursing College at Saravanampatti near the city the various types of diseases caused by unsafe storage of water, stagnation of sewage and poor disposal of garbage.
Speaking on “Urbanisation -- Sanitation Measures”, Dr. Senthilkumar said cities and towns got increasingly congested as people migrated to these places in search of employment.
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Poor sanitary conditions in these areas led to people getting affected by communicable diseases, he said.
Officials of the health department and college authorities took part in the programme, according to a release from the department.
Dr. Senthilkumar also inaugurated an awareness programme organised in the city by Isha Outreach, a wing of Isha Foundation.
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A press release from the foundation said various activities were held to highlight urbanisation and health status in urban areas.
Street plays and rallies focussed on public health in cities, so that the people could easily understand the issues that were involved.
Students of Government Arts College and volunteers of the foundation took out a rally, the press release that was issued here by the organisers further said.
The foundation said the activities on health awareness would continue till April 11.
Focus on nursing
Ganga Institute of Health Sciences and Research observed World Health Day with a Continuing Nurses Education Programme.
Dean of P.S.G. Medical College S. Ramalingam said nurses should involve in research also.
They should take care of patients with great understanding of their needs, it was pointed out to the participants at the programme that had been organised on the occasion..
Chief Cardio-thoracic Surgeon at G. Kuppuswamy Naidu Memorial Hospital S. Muralidharan said nurses should ensure a safe environment for patients.
Paediatric Surgeon at the hospital V.R. Ravikumar highlighted the unintentional accidents in paediatric medicine and nursing.
Director of Shanti Ashram Kezevino Aram spoke on the specific need for health care for children in the community.
“We have to be part of a solution and not a problem,” she said.
Chairman of Ganga Hospital J.G. Shanmughanathan also took part in the programme.