Doctors and Environment
By Dr. Ravindra Vora*
Forests are the lungs of the planet yet we are losing them at an alarming rate. Tropical diseases today affect half a billion people each year, killing round 20 million.
Studies show 300 infectious diseases have emerged in the last 70 years. Diseases causing viruses and their vectors are mutating and adapting to humans. With increasing global mobility, these diseases are causing pandemics. Corona is a case in point.
Today diseases are out of jungle because humans have cut out the jungles. Infectious disease that were once confined to the animals in forest are now attacking human beings.
Health of human beings depends on health of Mother Nature. As health care providers we cannot be just doctors or specialists to treat diseases alone. One must be fully aware of the grave consequences of environmental hazards to human health and make governments and people aware.
By now there has been an awareness among the people and most of us know about the following main causes of global warming and their disastrous effects:
- Population density, Vehicular Congestion, Land Use and Land Cover
- Infrastructure facilities
- Energy Sector: From coal, fuel to nuclear reactors
- Burning of waste and fires
- Green house gases: CO2, Methane, CFC – (Energy, Industries, Transport, Agriculture)
- EFFECTS: Heat, Draughts, Floods, Cyclones
Today we also know that the causes of global warming and our health issues are interrelated. The diagram below is self explanatory:
Mahatma Gandhi had said that there is enough on the Earth for everyone’s need but not for everyone’s greed. It is time that we focus on 3 Ps – Plundering, Pollution, Population. We have realised how important it is to reduce carbon footprint and how important it is to adhere to the principles of eco-friendly lifestyle.
Climate change and pollution make both the rich and the poor vulnerable. However, studies have shown that the poor are hit hardest.
Also read:vEnvironmental Catastrophe: A petition to the United Nations
There is an urgent need to form eco-activist groups of healthcare providers. We need to convince the governments, politicians and people about this requirement. Such groups can effectively communicate to the people the advantages of recharging and rejuvenating nature from health point of view.
Today is the time for the health workers to take the following pledge:
- Let us all join hands, use our medical knowledge and skills to control burden of eco-diseases and save the civilisations and homo sapiens from the brink of extinction!
- Let us resolve to control our greed and enhance empathy to fulfil needs of all life forms!!
- Let us be the change we want to see on Earth!!!
*Dr. Ravindra Vora, FRCS , is a Sangli-based paediatric surgeon & environmentalist. The views expressed are personal
