Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
World Bicycle Day: Pedal to keep disease away, says Minister Dr. Balbir Singh
Punjab Health Department to Organise Cycle Rallies across the state today: Dr. Balbir Singh
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, June 2, 2023: To sensitize people about the benefits of adopting a healthy lifestyle to keep the various lifestyle diseases such as Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular, and Stroke away, the Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh has directed organize cycle rallies at all district headquarters and Health & Wellness Centres across the state.
It is pertinent to mention here that Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are accounting for more than 63% of deaths in the country. Out of which Cardiovascular diseases cause 27%, Cancer causes 9%, Respiratory Diseases 11%, and Diabetes contributes to 3% of deaths in India.
Most of these NCDs are strongly associated with major behavioral risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol use, poor dietary habits, insufficient physical activity, and air pollution.
Dr. Balbir Singh said that to promote and inculcate a healthy lifestyle and to prevent such diseases, a Cycle Event would be organized on Saturday in all the districts of Punjab.
The Health Minister has also instructed the Mass Education and Media wing of the Health Department to conduct various awareness activities regarding the importance of physical activity for good health at all Health & Wellness Centres on the occasion of "World Bicycle Day' to promote physical and mental well-being through eco-friendly conveyance.
Director of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Adarshpal Kaur informed that "Cycling is a low-impact exercise and incorporating cycling into our exercise routine or as a recreational activity can benefit people of all ages and improve their quality of life. Cycling can also help us beat a sedentary lifestyle. "The activity in the state shall be organized under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) and the theme of the day will be 'Cycle for Health'." She added.
Assistant Director cum State Programme Officer Dr. Sandeep Singh Gill said that the focus has now shifted from communicable diseases to non-communicable diseases as NCDs are now more prevalent and cause more deaths. These diseases can be prevented by following healthy lifestyle habits.