Dear Editor,
Indian-Guyanese (as well as non-Indians) and other people of Indian origin (PIO) face serious health issues that are either hereditary or caused by their eating habits and lifestyle. Health problems facing PIOs were the main theme of a health conference on the Indian diaspora organized by the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin last weekend and held at the Holiday Inn in Queens. Sangeeta Ahuja was the main organizer. One of the keynote speakers was our very own Dr Vivian Rambihar, a Queen’s College Guyanese scholar trained as a heart specialist now residing in Toronto. Dr Rambihar has done a lot of research on heart diseases afflicting Guyanese and others. Dr Rambihar characterized the health problems facing Indians as a crisis and he advises Guyanese and others to change their eating habits and live healthier lifestyles.
The speakers at the conference noted that virtually all ethnic groups face similar health problems and everyone needs to change their lifestyle if they are going to live healthier lives. But non communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diabetes mellitus (sugar), cancer, hypertension, stroke and chronic lung disease are prevalent among Indians because of their genetic make-up and eating habits. Diabetes and heart attacks have emerged as major public health problems for Indians worldwide, particularly so in the Caribbean where most of them lack the means for effective treatment and management of their problems. It is estimated that over half the deaths of Indians are attributed to these two diseases and this is expected to rise. The speakers note there is a need for proper education and action on how to reduce the risk of diabetes and CVDs.
Besides Dr Rambihar, there were several other eminent experts and scientists in the field of medical science and related health sciences, including Dr Benoit Singh, Professor of medicine at Columbia University. Dr Singh, an Indian national, lavished praise on Dr Rambihar for his seminal studies and academic papers on CVDs. The attendees also included several prominent Guyanese who showered praise on the Berbician Ashok Ramsaran, one of the architects of GOPIO. The Guyanese said they found the medical and health related sessions useful, expressing regrets that more of their countrymen did not take advantage of the education offered on how to improve one’s health given the health crisis facing them. Every speaker focused on the need for everyone to live a healthy lifestyle and to partake in regular physical exercise including yoga. Eminent medical personnel who have been practising regular medicine said non-traditional medicine like Ayurvedic and Yoga treatment should not dismissed in seeking to cure ailments.
The speakers suggested what can be done to reduce the risks of NCDs, stressing the need for public health education and more government funded research. Unless people understand that these illnesses (diabetes, hypertension, etc) can affect them, they would not get themselves checked and disease may progress unknowingly. An educational message is needed to provide a supportive environment to those suffering from common diseases. As Drs Singh and Rambihar repeatedly advised, health promotion for NCD control can be carried out with simple messages – eg, use of less salt and sugar, exercise, avoiding stress, not using tobacco, reducing consumption of alcohol and eating more vegetables and fruit. It was noted that Guyanese consume way too much salt and sugar, doing untold damage to their bodies.
The health challenges facing Indians and others worldwide require comprehensive, holistically designed responses and the application of all forms of treatment. And no doubt health promotion is a key component for the prevention and control of NCDs. There is need for increasing awareness, promoting prevention and managing chronic diseases. Simple interventions like cutting out salt and sugar, stopping smoking and reducing alcohol consumption can prevent or delay many of the NCDs. And regular physical exercise can do wonders in eliminating diseases.
Thanks to Sangeeta, Dr Rambihar and others for an enlightening three-day conference on our health problems.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram