Walkathon in Goa on World No Tobacco Day

Walkathon in Goa on World No Tobacco Day

by | Jun 13, 2023 | Tobacco

Walkathon in Goa on World No Tobacco Day

Consumer VOICE, New Delhi in association with National Organization for  Tobacco Eradication (NOTE), India and Verna Industrial Association (VIA), Goa  organized an awareness rally to mark World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) on 31st May 2023 where more than 300 participants  from more than 20 industrial units participated in the event.

Employees and members of the participating companies started the walkathon from their respective units by holding placards and banners with anti-tobacco message & slogans. Nearly 300 participants converged at GIDC administration building by 4.00 PM. Dr Shekhar Salkar, noted oncologist from Goa and President of NOTE India, in his opening remarks stated that tobacco is the number one preventable cause for cancer and many other diseases. He expressed urgent need to take proactive steps including strong tobacco control rules to curb the menace of tobacco. Mr Pradip Da’Costa, President Verna IDC Association expressed happiness that such an important event has been organized in the IDC premises and also explained the participants that Verna Industrial Association is keenly involved in various environmental awareness activities. Mr Amarjeet Singh, Consumer VOICE New Delhi, congratulated the participants for gathering in large number and helping in strengthening the movement against tobacco.

Mrs Radhiya Chodnekar, Field Executive from IDC in her statement supported the cause against tobacco. Mr Anand Mishra, Mr Ganpat Kapdi and Mr Pawse from verna industries association were also part of the group.

Participants formed groups and chanted anti-tobacco slogans and pledged support to anti-tobacco movement. All participants were given information pamphlets on tobacco control law and harms of tobacco use. The event was concluded with vote of thanks by Dr Devdutt Sail, Secretary NOTE India

Names of The Participating Industries

Albea Betts India Pvt Ltd, Anand Engineering Works, Astra Metal Systems Pvt Ltd,  Birla Furukawa Fibre Optics, Capricorn Logistics Pvt Ltd, Cipla Goa, Colorcon Asia  Private Limited, Commscope, India, Duraline India pvt ltd., FDC ltd unit, IFB AC  Plant, Lupin, Marksans Pharma limited, Micro Labs Limited, Naik Motors  Mahindra, Pentair Water India Pvt Ltd, Perfect laundry and dry cleaners,  Persistent System Limited, Putzmeister Concrete Machines Private Limited, Sahil Packaging, Sanofi India Limited, SGP Food Manufacturers,SP Tata Motors, Universal Cables Limited, Smartlinks Holdings

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Cyclothon in Assam on World No Tobacco Day

Cyclothon in Assam on World No Tobacco Day

by | Jun 13, 2023 | Tobacco

Cyclothon in Assam on World No Tobacco Day

On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, Consumer VOCIE with its state partner Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum, Assam in collaboration with State Tobacco Control Cell, Directorate of Health Services, Govt. of Assam and State Tobacco Control Cell, Assam and Guwahati Cycling Community organized a Cyclothon in Guwahati on 30th May 2023.

The theme of the event was ‘Strengthen Tobacco Control Law to Save Lives’. More than two hundred students, sportspersons, doctors, lawyers, social activist, journalist and government officials participated the Cyclothon. The Cyclothon started from Veterinary College Field, Khanapara and cyclists went up to Ulubari and again come back to Khanapara. 

Abhinash Joshi, Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department, Govt. of Assam in his inaugural speech said “it is alarming that children and teens are lured towards the tobacco addiction. This is dangerous. Strict implementation of tobacco control law to save our children from tobacco addiction is an immediate task. It is need of the hour to save our younger generation from this deadly tobacco”. 

The cyclists made an awareness drive among the common people and appealed Government of India to strengthen the tobacco control law in the up-coming session of Parliament. They display placards with slogans to strengthen tobacco control law. They also urged to remove the designated smoking areas to make India 100 percent smoke free and banning the point of sale to save the younger children and youth from the menace of tobacco.

Dr.Nilmadhab Das, Director of Health Services; Phuleswar Basumatary, Deputy Commissioner of Taxes; Dr. Ashok Das, Professor, Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute, Dr. Munindra Narayan Baruah, Director, North East Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, Dr. Subrata Chanda, Assam Cancer Care Foundation (Tata Trust) Dr. Amal Ch. Kataki, Ex. Director, Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute; Dr. Arundhati Deka,  State Nodal Officer, NTCP  and Dr. Tapan Das, Join Secretary, Cycling Federation of India flagged off the cyclothon.

In their speech, the dignitaries said that nearly 50% of all cancers in India are due to tobacco. Smoking worsens lung function and reduces immunity. The nationwide survey of students revealed that nearly one-fifth of students aged 13-15 years are using tobacco products in India. In Assam children are falling in trap of tobacco menace and about 12 percent of students consume tobacco in any form. 

Advocate Ajoy Hazarika, Secretary Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum, Assam moderate the event and said that more than 68 percent of cigarettes smoker and 76 percent of bidi smokers bought them from street vendors, pan shops and stores. 38 percent of cigarettes, 47 percent of bidi and 52 percent of smokeless tobacco users picked up the habit before their 10th birthday. 9.5% of the students were exposed to second-hand smoke. There is urgent need to initiate strengthen the tobacco control law as this is an important step towards improving public health.

Ms. Ekta Purohit, Consumer VOICE, New Delhi participated the cyclothon and shared some important facts and figures of tobacco consumption and deaths from tobacco.

The cyclists took an oath to build a tobacco free society.

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Workshop in Gujarat on World No Tobacco Day

Workshop in Gujarat on World No Tobacco Day

by | Jun 13, 2023 | Tobacco

Workshop in Gujarat on World No Tobacco Day

Consumer VOICE in collaboration with Rajkot Saher Jilla Grahak Suraksha Mnadal, Rajkot organized World No Tobacco Day by holding a workshop followed by media interaction on 31st May 2023 at Conference Hall, government Circuit House, Rajkot, Gujarat. 

The workshop was attended by more than 70 people including doctors from Cancer Hospitals, AIIMS, District Hospital, Students, NGOs representatives, District Chief Health Officer, Chief Health Officer, Rajkot Municipal Corporation, Media Persons and Victims & Survivors.

Dr. R. S. Trivedi, Hon’ble Chief Medical Officer, Rajkot Government Medical College, Rajkot;  Dr. Khyatiben Vasavada, Hon’ble Medical Director, Rajkot Cancer Society. Rajkot, Gujarat; Dr. Gautam Makadia, MD-Oncologist, Shree  Jalaram Gurukul Sarvajanik Hospital Rajkot,  Gujarat; Dr. Jeet Mehta, Hon’ble Oncologist, Saurashtra  Cancer Care & Research Centre, Government of  Gujarat  Shri Pankajbhai Rathod, Former Chief Health Officer, Rajkot Municipal Corporation, Rajkot,  Gujarat Shri Jayeshbahi Vakani, Hon’ble Chief Health  Officer, Rajkot Municipal Corporation, Rajkot,  Gujarat, Shri Hemant Kumar Upadhyay from Consumer VOICE, New  Delhi attended the workshop among others.

All participants took oath not to consume tobacco followed by media interaction. To garner the media support a press release was also disseminated among regional media. There was also a Health Camp organised by Jalaram Raghukul Sarvjanik Hospital for the early detection of oral cancer.

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World No Tobacco Day 2023

World No Tobacco Day 2023

by | Jun 13, 2023 | Tobacco

World No Tobacco Day 2023

World No Tobacco Day is observed every year on 31st May to highlight the harmful effects of tobacco not only on humans but on the environment at large.  As per World Health Organisation, Tobacco kills over 8 million people every year. It is also responsible for creating some serious damage to our environment through cultivation and waste.

Tobacco consumption is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases, including cancer, lung disease, cardiovascular disease and stroke. It is one of the main causes of death and disease in India and according to WHO, it accounts for nearly 1.35  million deaths every year. 

Like previous years, this year too Consumer VOICE observed World No Tobacco Day with their partner states across India with the objective to strengthen Tobacco Control Laws to save lives. 

Events like walkaton, cyclothon and workshops were organized to raise awareness among the citizens including young adults and children on the harmful effects of tobacco consumption.

Gujarat | Assam | Goa

Stakeholder Consultation on Hypertension Control and Prevention in India

Stakeholder Consultation on Hypertension Control and Prevention in India

by | Jun 12, 2023 | Hypertension management

Stakeholder Consultation on Hypertension Control and Prevention in India

With the rising prevalence of Non-communicable (NCDs) in India and hypertension being an important risk factor, it was important to prioritise it and place suitable recommendations in front of our policy makers. 

Keeping this in mind Consumer VOICE planned for a series of dialogues with various stakeholders including doctors, experts, policy makers and CSOs at the central level to be followed up in different states. The first event was event therefore was held in New Delhi at the Constitution Club of India on May 29th from11 am onwards. 

Objectives:

  • A series of community dialogues to prioritize NCDs and HTN as a public health concern
  • Create awareness and raise political will of policy makers
  • Seek opinion and participation of stakeholders 
  • Spread the message of hypertension prevention and control among consumers

The event witnessed a close participation of select but a quality gathering of experts and policy makers. Dr Aparna Jaswal, Director, Fortis Escorts in her wonderful presentation spoke about the importance to keeping heart healthy from the very young. She spoke about why and how young adults fall prey to stroke and cardiac arrest and heart attack and the signs one should look for. Her interactive presentation also highlighted when people without any previous record of heart ailment still collapse and how they can be saved. She proposed that awareness programs should start from the very young age of 18 years, and government should think of introducing teaching CPR at community centres and colleges. 

Dr Yogesh Bahurupi, Associate Professor, Dept of Family and Community Medicine AIIMS, Rishikesh highlighted the importance of Data Science Transformation and Artificial Intelligence and digital transformation. He stressed on the focus of prevention which if done systematically can prevent hundreds of lives.  Artificial intelligence is the way forward for patients in remote areas where a doctor sitting kilometres away can still analyse the irregular heartbeats of a remote patient. 

Videos

Dr Archisman Mohapatra, Executive Director, GRID Council in his presentation emphasised the role of community health workers and primary healthcare centres. If community health services can be strengthened then the burden at the district hospitals is greatly reduced. While talking of the global scenario of NCDs, he spoke about the number of people being left untreated because it is not diagnosed. He also highlighted that hypertension is now no longer a disease of the urban middle or higher class but has penetrated deep into the rural sector. Significant proportion of hypertensives in India are either untreated or under-treated and this is attributed to lack of consistent access to anti-hypertensive medication. 

Representing the CSOs, Mr Ashim Sanyal, COO, Consumer VOICE spoke about the socio-economic burden that hypertension has accounts for. Treating NCD is on priority but it has to be strongly supplemented with population-based services aimed at health promotion and action on social determinants of health along with individual services.  He proposed for a multi-sectoral action addressing the social determinants and strengthening of health systems for universal coverage to population and individual services is required. Promotion of wellness activities and targeted communication at the community level is needed.

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The event also witnessed meaningful participation from several policy makers, some through their video message or online and some being present physically. Through a video message, BJD MP Shri Sujeet Kumar applauded the efforts of Consumer VOICE for holding the stakeholder consultation on hypertension prevention and control in India. He spoke about the high mortality rates in India and rising prevalence of NCDs in India and also in his home state of Odisha. To achieve the goal of reducing mortality rate in India due to NCDs, one must stress on the importance of primary healthcare centers. He emphasized the importance of strengthening primary and community health care centers in India and also urged consumers to make lifestyle changes. Promised his full support to our project goals through his office

It was an honor to have Lt.Gen.(Retd) Dr. DP Vats from BJP physically present in the occasion. Acknowledging the role of community health workers, Dr. DP Vats said that to improve India’s healthcare system primary field-level frontline workers, community health workers and nurses are crucial for delivering high quality community-based services especially for hypertension and other non-communicable diseases. He pledged his support and asked for his intervention areas. 

Dr Kirit Premjibhai Solanki, BJP MP who joined the consultation through zoom appreciated the work of Consumer VOICE in all spheres. While talking about the efforts that Consumer VOICE was putting in for generating awareness among consumers to measure and monitor their blood pressure regularly, he also stressed on the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  He stressed on the need for all stakeholders to work together to uphold the progress of SDGs. 

IEC materials were also distributed in the event and also a video on patient voices was shown in the workshop. Several patients from different states were captured in the video.

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