Report

Dr Soumya Swaminathan, a prominent public health expert and former WHO Chief Scientist, has identified dietary risks as one of the nation’s most pressing health threats. She highlighted that half of India’s population cannot afford a nutritionally adequate, healthy diet. In particular, she pointed to the rising health concerns in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, where obesity, non-communicable diseases, malnutrition, anaemia, and micronutrient deficiencies are becoming increasingly prevalent, largely due to poor dietary habits. She made these remarks following the launch of several initiatives as part of a major research project focused on assessing the water quality of Vembanad Lake and studying waterborne infectious diseases at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) on Friday in Kochi.

Untapped Potential of Marine Resources for Better Nutrition

During her speech, Dr Sowmya Swaminathan emphasized the untapped potential of marine resources to improve nutrition in India. She suggested that harnessing the benefits of these resources could help address the nation’s dietary challenges, offering a valuable solution to improve public health.

Climate Change and Health: A Growing Threat

Swaminathan also spoke about the devastating impacts of climate change on India, which is highly vulnerable to extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, cyclones, and heatwaves. She warned that these climate risks pose serious threats not only to physical health but also to mental well-being. She stressed that the most vulnerable segments of society, especially marginalized groups, bear the brunt of these climate challenges.

The Need for Integrated Research

As a former Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Dr. Swaminathan emphasized the importance of integrated research that brings together data from weather, climate, health, and environmental sources. This interdisciplinary approach could help predict and prevent future outbreaks, she said. She also called for the establishment of an Environmental Health Regulatory Agency in India to address the growing influence of environmental factors on public health.

Tackling Zoonotic Diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance

Dr. Swaminathan addressed the rising threat of zoonotic diseases—viruses passed from animals to humans—and antimicrobial resistance, which she identified as significant global health concerns. She urged increased awareness and action to prevent the spread of these health risks. Dr. Swaminathan stressed the importance of collaboration between governmental bodies, educational institutions, and local communities. She underscored the critical role of citizen science initiatives in empowering communities to contribute valuable data for research purposes.

Lessons from the COVID-19 Vaccine Development

Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Swaminathan shared insights into the unprecedented level of collaboration that enabled the rapid development of vaccines in under a year. She credited this success to the open sharing of research findings, rather than prioritizing individual publication. “I witnessed firsthand the power of collaboration and data-sharing during my time at WHO,” she said. The event was led by Dr Grinson George, with Dr Kajal Chakraborty and Dr. V.V.R. Suresh contributing their insights as well.

Source: Manoramaonline