In a major step to address the growing threat of lifestyle-related illnesses, the 'Swastha Mysuru' initiative was officially inaugurated in the heritage city on Friday. This public health program represents a collaborative push involving the state health department, the HH Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar Foundation, and the Health World India Trust.
A Collaborative MoU for Public Health
The launch event, held at the Wadiyar Centre for Architecture, saw the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the partners. This agreement marks the start of a concerted effort to improve health outcomes for the residents of Mysuru by promoting preventive healthcare and raising awareness about Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
Karnataka's Health Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, presided over the inauguration. He described 'Swastha Mysuru' as a natural progression of the successful work undertaken under the 'Healthy Bengaluru' project. The minister expressed strong confidence that this initiative would lead to significant improvements in the health and lifestyle of Mysuru's citizens within the next two years, with the health department's full backing.
Statewide Efforts and a Warning on Lifestyle
Minister Rao also detailed the broader 'Gruha Arogya' scheme running across Karnataka. Under this program, individuals aged 30 and above are screened for critical conditions like diabetes, hypertension, certain cancers, and 14 other NCDs. He revealed that over one crore (10 million) people have already been screened under Gruha Arogya, with free medication provided where needed.
Emphasizing that health and education are the bedrock of a strong nation, Rao called for a united effort from the government, the public, and socially conscious organizations to build greater health awareness. He urged people to make conscious dietary choices, opting for healthier foods and cutting down on junk food to prevent lifestyle ailments.
The minister also voiced concern about rising mental stress among children, citing Australia's recent ban on social media for children under 16 as a topic for reflection.
Foundation for Success and a Looming Crisis
Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, Chairperson of the Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar Foundation, addressed the gathering. She stated that the proven success of the 'Healthy Bengaluru' project provided a solid model for the Mysuru initiative, which will now focus strongly on creating awareness for NCD prevention. She extended her gratitude to the health department for its support.
Nalini Saligram, founder of Health World, highlighted the alarming scale of the NCD burden. She pointed out that nearly 80% of the population is affected by diabetes or heart-related conditions, while approximately 40% face a risk of cancer. Saligram warned that without prompt and decisive action, the country could be heading towards a severe public health crisis in the near future.
The 'Swastha Mysuru' initiative stands as a critical, community-oriented response to these daunting statistics, aiming to turn the tide through prevention, screening, and education.
