Air pollution: SwitchON Foundation launches awareness campaign

BILASPUR: On World Cancer Day, SwitchON Foundation, the environmental organisation, created a “Clean Air Medical Student Ambassador Program” to raise awareness about the health effects of air pollution.

The program was launched alongside a webinar hosted by the foundation, which was attended by approximately 70 medical students from Jharkhand as well as notable doctors and health practitioners from Jharkhand and Bengal. “Health professionals have issued an urgent warning about the rising number of cancer patients and the impact of pollution on their health,” said Vinay Jaju, Managing Director, SwitchON.

Goal of the program is to raise awareness among aspiring medical practitioners and to assist them in receiving necessary air pollution training from experts, as well as to mentor nearly 500 more students by holding 10 workshops and conferences, and releasing more research and data on air pollution in Jharkhand. The health camps will be held in locations where air pollution is a problem, Jaju added.

The official further stated that the organisation would not only provide resources to medical students for training and workshops but would also provide necessary equipment for health camp operations. People in Jharkhand’s big cities are suffering from allergies, running noses, and respiratory system discomfort, but they have no idea why. In the absence of scientific evidence, medical experts are unable to officially link them to air pollution. According to the Centre for Science and Environment, Jharkhand has a shocking death rate of 59.2 per cent for those under the age of 70, which is attributable to air pollution,” stated a SwitchON Foundation spokeswoman. According to scientists, airborne carcinogens contribute to the worldwide burden of cancer, particularly lung cancer, which receives the most significant inhalation dosages.