GANGTOK, August 22: The Nodal Officer of the State Tobacco Cell, Dr. PS Pradhan today said that the use of narcotics in Sikkim has gone down in comparison to other North Eastern States of the country with strict prohibitionary orders on guard.
Speaking as the chief guest during the 8th annual general meeting of Voluntary Health Association of Sikkim (VHAS) held here today, Mr. Pradhan also revealed that some 47 percent of school children consume various tobacco products in Sikkim, which is next to only Nagaland and Manipur.
He further revealed that half of the Cancer deaths in the State are attributed to Tobacco consumption, for which he requested the association to penetrate its activities more in the interiors of Sikkim.
Dr. Pradhan also appreciated the works of VHAS in the State.
Earlier, BB Rai, the working president of VHAS while addressing the gathering said, VHAS was established with the basic philosophy and mission to promote the sustainable community health and development in the State with the people’s participation. “It also endevours to sensitize the general public towards cost effective, preventive, promotive and sustainable health care system through locally available resources and scientific attitude to health and community development without ignoring the local traditions,” he added.
Dr H.Lepcha, the president of the association said, VHAS also aims towards creating an atmosphere for building up people’s health and development movement through effective campaign, promoting low cost, appropriate, scientific and people oriented health and strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Dr Jyoti Prakash Tamang, the Vice-President of VHAS on his part appreciated the state government’s active role in education and health policy in Sikkim. He added that the State Government should now frame a viable food policy with one adulteration testing lab in the State Food and Civil Supplies Department.
The meeting was attended by the board members of the association and participation from various NGOs.
Sikkim Served Fresh Daily
