Capacity building of health workers was held at CMO’s conference hall, Dimapur.
Dimapur, March 26 (MExN): Under National Clean Air programme (NCAP), capacity building of health workers on ‘the impact of quality of air on health’ was organised batch-wise for Community Level health workers from all the health units under Chief Medical Officer and IEC Bureau staffs from all health blocks under Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland districts at CMO’s conference hall, Dimapur.
Resource person, Dr Molungtsungba Jamir, Epidemiologist, IDSP Dimapur gave an introduction to air pollution and presented the impact of air pollution on health. He stated that air pollution continues to be a global challenge for the environment, health, and economic development contributing to large number of deaths and disabilities worldwide, that otherwise could be avoidable. He further stated that clean air is the basic right for all humans and is very important for our well-being.
Dr Molungtsungba highlighted about the short term effects like headache and giddiness, chest pain and shortness of breath and long terms effects on respiratory and cardiovascular system. He informed that due to air pollution, respiratory diseases will increase, which in turn may cause financial instability to the family.
Resource person, Dr Antara Sharma, Programme Officer, Jhpiego presented the roles and responsibilities of Community Level health workers. She sensitised the trainees that as community level workers, they can identify the vulnerable population and educate them about sources and types of pollution in their areas, and its impact on their health during Village Health Nutrition Days and health camps.
Community level health workers can promote preventive measures such as using face mask during peak pollution hours, advocate cleaner cooking fuels like LPG instead of firewood or charcoal, avoid burning of plastic and agricultural waste inside or near the household premises, create awareness among outdoor workers to protect themselves from health hazards from emissions released by industries and brick kilns etc.
Dr Limatula Aier, Chief Medical Officer addressed the participants during the training. She highlighted that Dimapur is one of the polluted cities exceeding the pollutant limit. She stated that the capacity building was organised to ensure the trainees as community level workers will go back and educate their respective communities and urge the participants to work together with the communities to protect ourselves and the environment.
