UDALGURI

The state government has girded up its loin to save the next generation from ill-effects of tobacco on their health. Preparations are being made to ensure strict action in this regards in all the schools be they private or government ones. A team comprising teachers and students would be formed in every school which would act as 'Tobacco control guard'. Noose would be tightened around the teachers, students and employees who use tobacco in any form in the school premises.

TAMLUK : The litany of woes related to HIV/AIDS continues unabated in the rural fringes of West Bengal. Though, the state health department often claims that its AIDS awareness mascot, Buladi has been a success, but her campaign seems to have fallen flat even in the urban areas of Midnapore East district with the victims of the deadly disease being socially ostracised. This was proven recently, when a 27-year old woman and her family were ostracised by their neighbours at their village near Kolaghat after she tested HIV positive.

"As per report in India two persons suffer from Tuberculosis in a minute due to infected cough. And such a patient infects 10 to 15 persons a year. To prevent this we have been taking necessary measures, providing adequate treatment and medicines.' This was stated by Dr Pranati Saikia while addressing an awareness programme on TB organised on the Tezpur Jail premises. Taking part in the programme as a distinguished guest, the noted doctor further dwelt on the ways to combat tuberculosis (TB).

HATSINGIMARI

A Dibrugarh based social organisation called Devoted Ethical Society Towards Integrating National Youths (DESTINY) organised an AIDS awareness programme at Sri Durga Mandir High School, Paltan Bazaar, Dibrugarh on June 7. Dr Kharga Nanda Handique and Md Abidur Rahman, counselor, Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH), Dibrugarh attended the programme as resource persons. More than hundred people participated in the awareness programme, a press release stated.

With an aim to guide the youth and community leaders against the harmful effect of tobacco, the Centre for Adult, Continuing Education and Extension (CACEE), Panjab University, observed "No Tobacco Day', on Tuesday. Around 40 community leaders attended the programme. Programme in-charge Renu Gandhi said that to ensure good health, one must cultivate the habit of abstaining from tobacco. She expressed deep concern about the figures released by World Health Organisation, which stated that a hundred million people died in the 20th century because of tobacco.

The WHO and the Union health ministry will launch a pilot project in Cooch Behar and Murshidabad districts of Bengal as part of their nationwide programme to curb the use of tobacco. The plan under the National Tobacco Control Programme involves the setting up of counselling centres at the district level, where experts will advise people on how to kick the habit of smoking. These centres will be located at the district hospitals, from where teams of experts will fan out to various blocks.

Institute of Industrial Management of Bhopal is going to conduct a short-term course on Health Safety Environment Management for senior level officers from industries. The programme is organised from 26th to 30th May 2008. This five day programme consist of HSE Management, An overview of New Dimensional Changes in Environment with focus to understand ISO:14001. The HSE management programme is organised at IIMSHE Seminar Hall , First Floor, M.P. Nagar Zone -II.

Use of soya products can fight malnutrition better in both rural and urban areas as, among protein-rich mushroom, spirulina, soybean and pulses, soybean has 40 per cent protein content and provides cheapest protein, says an expert. ''In Madhya Pradesh, a very large section of population in villages is living below poverty line. They are deprived of affordable nutritious food and their food is lacking protein and fat content,'' the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research's former director MS Virdi said.

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