Government readies mobile hospitals as recession makes India ill

On World Health Day, MiD DAY fills you in on the latest health developments, checks the country's fitness quotient and gets top docs to tell you how to stay in the pink

Government readies mobile hospitals as recession makes India ill

On World Health Day, MiD DAY fills you in on the latest health developments, checks the country's fitness quotient and gets top docs to tell you how to stay in the pink

The recession is ruining our country's health, quite literally, too. Experts from various medical fields agree that acute stress due to job anxiety and dwindling profits is placing most youngsters at risk of cardiac troubles, infertility and even cancer.

Meanwhile, the government is devising portable hospitals, complete with 200 beds, an ICU, a laboratory, and a blood bank, for emergencies like floods and earthquakes. We give you a roundup of what's up on the health block.

Doc talk

Cancer loves the breast

Dr Amit Bhargava, Consultant Oncologist, Max Healthcare: Unhealthy habits are predisposing today's young women to breast cancer like never before. Head and neck cancers and oral forms are also on the rise. Stay clear with:

*u00a0Regular self-breast examination and check-ups

*u00a0Healthy diets

*u00a0Cutting down alcohol consumption

*u00a0Not staying empty stomach

*u00a0Not ignoring the slightest symptoms

Nights on fire

Dr Manvir Bhatia, Chairperson Sleep Medicine, Senior Consultant, Department of Neurology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital:

Most of us are engaging in voluntary sleep restriction, and turning short sleepers. This leads to behavioural problems, makes you prone to diabetes and hypertension, and causes lack of concentration and productivity.

Easy steer clear tips:

*u00a0Maintain a regular bedtime/ wake-time

*u00a0Avoid stimulants like caffeine, cola, nicotine

*u00a0Don't use alcohol for inducing sleep

*u00a0Exercise, but not before bedtime

*u00a0Keep a good gap between work-time and sleep-time.

Use protection to keep tummy trouble at bay

Dr Manav Wadhavan, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Transplant Hepatologist, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital:u00a0
The one stomach problem that's gaining ground nowadays is Hepatitis in its various forms - A, B, C. In its various avatars, it can be contracted by sexual contact, blood borne and even caused due to contaminated foodstuff and alcohol.

Easy steer clear tips:

*u00a0Mind hygiene while eating; boil drinking water

*u00a0Avoid alcohol

*u00a0Use protection while having sex

The aachhoo syndrome

ENT specialist Dr Rahul Garg on how you can corporates and pros can keep allergies, sinusitis and cervical troubles at bay:

*u00a0Do not remain in a fixed posture for more than half hour. 5-min breaks work.

*u00a0Corporates should ensure floor carpets and ACs are cleaned regularly

*u00a0Hearing tests should be taken once a year and eye tests every six months

Fast facts

*u00a0This year, the WHO's World Health Day is themed on emergency facilities. Likewise, the Indian government has announced that five mobile, air-liftable, self-sufficient hospitals are in the pipeline for effective rescue operations during natural calamities and other emergencies.

*u00a0L.K. Advani, prime ministerial candidate of the BJP and NDA, is campaigning to make 'affordable healthcare for all citizens' a fundamental right

*u00a0An oral vaccine for cholera will be launched in the capital on April 10

*u00a0A new cancer body and more than 50 health helplines have been set up in various parts of the country in the past few months

*u00a0The world's first and only robotic radiosurgery system, CyberKnife, designed to treat cancerous tumors came to the country a few weeks back