Tobacco related diseases on the rise

This was disclosed by Health and Family Welfare Minister Phunzathang Tonsing today while speaking at the inaugural function of the two-day long 6th Continued Medical Evaluation (CME) cum Workshop and 2nd Manipur Branch of Association of Otolaryngologists of India Conference at the Auditorium Hall of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Porompat here.

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) . Inaugurating the event as chief guest, Minister Phungzathang Tonsing observed that increase in tobacco consumption rate in Manipur over the past few years has caused different diseases related with ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) among the people.

Diseases related to Sinusitis and other throat related diseases are caused by tobocco products like zarda, gutka, kheini and cigarrete. The Minister hoped that the two-day long 6th CME cum workshop and 2nd conference of Manipur Branch of Association of Otolaryngologists of India would make all the doctors and other staff working in the field of ENT to play a crucial role. Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Francis Ngajokpa, who attended the function as one of the Guests of Honour, noted that the doctors are next to God because when one suffers he or she seeks blessings from the God and goes to a doctor when he/she falls sick.

 The Minister observed that human body parts from the neck to the head are considered the most important parts while other parts as secondary. Therefore, the ENT workshop cum conference will provide vital knowledge to all concerned in coping with various ENT diseases. Medical Superintendent of JNIMS Prof W Gopimohan and Prof M Madhumangol, president, Manipur Branch of Otolaryngologists of India were respectively Guest of Honour and President of the inaugural function. On the occasion, a souvenir of MABAOICON and a newsletter of NEBAOI for 2012 were also released by Minister Phunzathang and Minister Ngajokpa respectively.