Staff of Health Committee, Red Ribbon Club and Anti-Tobacco Cell of Mount Olive College Kohima along with the medical team during an awareness camp on October 6. (Photo Courtesy: MOC)
Outreach Health Camp and Awareness Programme held at Mount Olive College
Kohima, October 6 (MExN): Youngsters start consuming either smoke or smokeless tobacco products as early as 15 to 24 years of age, informed Dr Arenla Walling, District Nodal Officer of National Tobacco Control Programme, Kohima on October 6.
Overall, about 43.3% of people use either smoke or smokeless tobacco products in Nagaland, she said, while addressing the one-day outreach health camp and awareness programme organised by the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) in collaboration with the Health Committee, Red Ribbon Club and Anti-Tobacco Cell of Mount Olive College.
Pan masala with tobacco, betel quid with tobacco, khaini, bidi, gutkha are some of the commonly used tobacco products in Nagaland, she was quoted as saying in a press report of the event provided by the college.
Dr Walling also informed that smokeless tobacco user account for 39% of the total population while smokers constitute 13.2%. Both type users account for 8.9% out of the total population in the state, she added.
She also apprised how tobacco is causing premature mortality in the world and said that “tobacco is the only legally available substance which kills when it is used as intended.”
The Nodal Officer also stated that one-third of the people are exposed to "secondhand smoke" and about 6 lakh people die yearly prematurely as a result of exposure to smoking.
Meanwhile, Ayang, Counsellor, Mobile Integrated Council and Training Centre (ICTC), Kohima, under District Aids Prevention and Control Programme, informed that despite a huge number of people in Nagaland having HIV infection, many do not turn up for getting tested.
She informed that the adult prevalence of HIV and AIDS in Nagaland is 1.45% as per NACO HIV Estimation 2019 while it is the second state with the highest number of HIV infections in the country.
The Counsellor also batted for getting timely tests for early treatment of HIV as timely medical intervention may lead a person to healthy and long life even if a person is detected positive for the virus.
She also informed about free medication and treatment for all HIV related cases at the Naga Hospital Authority Kohima.
Dr Bilva Yalie, Medical Officer Incharge of Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC), Seikhazou, also called upon the educated masses to be responsible to live a healthy life for oneself and for others while reminding the need to visit hospitals in times of sickness.
She also urged for maintaining Covid appropriate behaviours as preventive measures against the dreaded virus.
She had also informed citizens and students among others to avail the free medical facilities including free general health service and free medicines and counseling to all kinds of ailments at the UPHC.
Swedezhono Tsükrü, the college principal commended the medical fraternity for rendering their services for the safety of the citizens especially through the most trying times, the release said.
While appreciating the medical team for enlightening on health related issues as well as conducting health check up for both the staff and students, she expressed optimism to strive to build a healthier society with the college with the continued guidance and support encouragement from the medical personnel. It added.
