Anaemia, back pain among health problems ailing youth: MCI head
Discusses Importance Of Their Mental Well-being
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chandigarh:

NITI Aayog member and Medical Council of India chairman Vinod K Paul said India’s glory as one of the top economic and political power depends on the country’s youth and the latter should thus take care of their health to carry the responsibility.

Listing out the health problems faced by the youth today, he said that the youngsters today run the risk of undergoing poor mental health, anaemia, back pain, along with the dangers of suffering injuries in road accidents. He was speaking at a seminar held on the topic ‘Healthy and Smart Youth for New India’ at Dr S S Bhatnagar UICET, Auditorium of Panjab University, on Wednesday.

In his lecture, he highlighted that more than half of India’s population is below the age of 25. “It is this human capital that would power India’s tryst with greatness in the next three decades. When we complete a century of our independence, India would be the world’s foremost economic and knowledge power. But this demographic dividend can only be utilized if the youth of today and tomorrow have healthy body and mind,” said Paul.

During the talk, he discussed key health concerns of the youth, and provided practical tips for a healthy future. He concluded that PU should have collaboration programmes with PGI for health and wellness of the students so that PU becomes sets an example as a healthpromoting university across the country.

Moerover, PGIMER director Dr Jagat Ram appreciated the significant contributions of Prof Paul, a renowned academician scientist, public exponent and alumnus of PU. He added that with the combining strengths like skilled health workforce, low cost high yield models of healthcare and a growing Indian pharmaceutical sector may lead to an increase in the employment opportunities as well. He conveyed his gratitude and extended his best wishes to the faculty, students and audience who had come to attend the lecture and emphasized that this lecture series should continue to benefit teachers, students and public at large.

PU colloquium series coordinator Prof Promila Pathak briefly introduced the eminent speaker. The Government of India appointed Dr Paul as a member of the NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog in August 2017 in the rank of minister of state of the Government of India where he leads health, nutrition and HRD verticals.