GMU hosts dialogue on Integration of Climate and Health Training for Future Healthcare Professionals
Ajman (Press Release): In a bid to address the pressing issue of climate change, Gulf Medical University (GMU conducted a workshop titled ‘Climate Change and Human Health’ to shed light on the interconnectedness of human, and environmental health. Timely and significant, the workshop emphasized the "One Health concept," providing a detailed understanding of the impacts of climate change on global well-being.
The event was inaugurated by Prof. MandaVenkatramana, Vice Chancellor Academics & Dean, College of Medicine, who welcomed participants and set the stage for insightful discussions on the critical intersection of climate change and human health.
Notable speakers at the workshop included: Ms. Salome Owuonda, Executive Director, Africa Centre for Sustainable and Inclusive Development; Dr. Cecilia Sorensen, Director of the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education, Columbia University, New York; Dr. Edmond Fernandes, Edward & Cynthia Institute of Public Health, India; Dr. FatemehRezaei, Assistant Professor, Isfahan University of Health Sciences, Iran; Prof. Shatha Al Sharbatti, Professor & Head of Department, Dept of Community Medicine, GMU; Dr. Mohammed Abdulrazzaq, Assistant Professor of Occupational Health, GMU.
Speaking about the collaborative effort, Professor HossamHamdy, chancellor, Gulf Medical University, said, “The Gulf Medical University has made significant strides in advancing accessible and quality health education. The commitment extends towards healthcare and higher education, supported by a robust infrastructure for privatization and business development. Recognizing the global landscape, the university emphasizes multidisciplinary subjects for our diverse student body. It is imperative now, more than ever, to integrate climate change into health professions education, ensuring our students are poised to tackle the complexities of an ever-evolving world."
Meanwhile, Dr. Cecilia Sorensen, Director of the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education, Columbia University, New York highlighted, “I would like to commend the efforts of Gulf Medical University in addressing the intersection of climate and health. In today's context, it is crucial that our healthcare professionals, including nurses, doctors, and pharmacists, are equipped with the knowledge to understand the impact of climate on health. They serve as the first and last line of defense for our patients and communities. The recent COP hosted by the UAE marked a significant milestone, dedicating a full segment to health. This showcases the importance of integrating health considerations into climate policies. My aspiration is to witness health becoming an integral aspect of every conversation surrounding energy, transportation, and industrialization—the ultimate convergence point in addressing climate change. While it signifies a step in the right direction, there is still much work to be done.”
The workshop facilitated discussions on proactive measures, policy initiatives, and collaborative efforts needed to address the challenges posed by climate change on human health. It served as a platform for interdisciplinary exchange, encouraging a holistic approach to mitigate and adapt to the evolving impacts on our planet.
In addition, Dr. Edmond Fernandes, from the Edward & Cynthia Institute of Public Health in India, concluded, “The Climate Change and Health workshop at Gulf Medical University in Ajman was an inspiring event. It served as a valuable extension of the UAE’s COP 28, where the academia and academic community took the lead in shedding light on the implications of climate change on the health of the region. This event went beyond simply discussing how climate change affected health systems; it delved into the broader impact on social protection, emphasizing the need to safeguard at-risk communities. Additionally, it addressed the repercussions on food security, advocating for the establishment of resilient food systems. At present, medical doctors lacked the necessary training to comprehend the global conversations and connotations surrounding climate change and the adaptation gaps. Therefore, there was a growing need for health systems to realign medical curriculum, integrating the crucial intersection of climate and health. Gulf Medical University had shown leadership in this region by spearheading initiatives that bridged the gap between climate and health education.”
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Brittas urges Parliament resolution on Iran conflict, recalls Vajpayee-era Iraq war motion
New Delhi (PTI): CPI(M) MP John Brittas on Tuesday cited Parliament's 2003 unanimous resolution under then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee condemning the Iraq war, to urge the government to move a similar motion on the Iran conflict.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha during zero hour, Brittas called for a "united and unanimous voice" of Parliament against what he described as unilateral and illegal wars by the US and Israel on Iran, saying India should not remain silent.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address in the Lok Sabha on Monday, he said key economic concerns and diaspora issues were raised but there was no reference to the broader conflict, which he said warranted a clear position from India.
"What was missing was the silence on this unilateral, immoral, illegal war that has been unleashed by the United States and Israel," he said.
The Prime Minister, he said, called for a unanimous and united voice from the Parliament.
Addressing chairman C P Radhakrishnan who was a member of the Lok Sabha in 2003, he said at that time, both the Houses of Parliament when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister, passed joint, unanimous resolution condemning the war against Iraq by the United States.
"I wish that Indian Parliament, as the Prime Minister said, should express unanimously a united voice," he said. "Let the government bring a resolution which should be passed by both the Houses."
Brittas said India has termed the attacks on Gulf countries by Iran as egregious.
"But what about the genesis of this crisis?" he asked. "I wish that the government does not go by the advice of (Congress leader) Shashi Tharoor who said that silence is statecraft. I wish that they should be guided by the advice from (Congress president) Mallikarjun Kharge not from Shahi Tharoor."
Kharge has repeatedly demanded an immediate short-duration discussion on the Iran war and its fallout on India.
"I wish that India, being a leader of the non-alignment nations, should feel that silence is not a solution. We have to make sure that our voice is heard. And it is not only for the selfish interest of the nation but for the interest of the larger humanity. So I call on the government to come with a resolution," Brittas said.
He also flagged concerns over Indians affected by the situation, including around 700 seafarers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, and urged the government to put in place a mechanism to facilitate communication with their families.
Brittas sought a rehabilitation package for Gulf returnees, highlighting the scale of remittances to India and their importance to Kerala's economy.
Kerala gets almost Rs 2.2 lakh crore - one third of the state's gross domestic product - in remittances, he said.
Prime Minister Modi in his address in Lok Sabha on Monday talked about economic fall out of the war in Iran, disruptions in supply chain, impact on daily lives of people, serious situation on the LPG front and the condition of the Indian diaspora but was silent on military strikes launched by the US and Israel on Iran on February 28, which triggered a wider conflict in the region.
