IMPHAL, Oct 5 (NNN): The increase in the consumption of tobacco and its products has been the cause for rising cases of diseases in Manipur.
This was disclosed by Manipur Health and Family Welfare Minister Phunzathang Tonsing today. He said the increase in tobacco consumption rate in Manipur in the past few years has caused different diseases related with ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) among the people.
A two-day long 6th Continued Medical Evaluation (CME) cum Workshop and 2nd Manipur Branch of Association of Otolaryngologists of India Conference was kicked started at the Auditorium Hall of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Porompat.
The CME cum workshop and Manipur Branch of AOI conference is being organised by Manipur Branch of Association of Otolaryngologists of India (MBAOI) in collaboration with North- Eastern Branch of Otolaryngologists of India (NEBAOI).
At the inaugural function of the workshop cum conference, minister Phunzathgang gracing it as chief guest said the two-day long programme will make all the doctors and other staff working in the field of ENT to play a crucial role.
He said in the last few years, various ENT related diseases have risen in the state due to increase in tobacco consumption rate. Diseases related with Sinusitis and other throat related diseases are caused by tobocco products like zarda, gutka, kheini and cigarrete.
Phunzathang also said the programme will benefit ENT doctors and staff significantly and wished it a grand success.
Francis Ngajokpa, Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, who was also attending the inaugural function as guest of honour, said doctors are next to God because when one suffers he seeks blessings from the God while he falls sick he goes to a doctor.
Ngajokpa noted the human body parts from the neck to the head are considered as the most important parts and other parts are secondary. “Therefore the ENT workshop cum conference will provide vital knowledge to all concerned in coping with various ENT diseases.”
Prof W Gopimohan, Medical Superintendant, JNIMS and Prof M Madhumangol, president, Manipur Branch of AOI also attended the function as guest of honour and president respectively.
At the function, a souvenir of MABAOICON and a newsletter of NEBAOI for 2012 were also released by Phunzathang and Ngajokpa respectively.