April 09, 2008	Wednesday	Rabi-us-Sani 2, 1429

HYDERABAD, April 8: Climatic change is not a myth but a real threat and urgent action is needed to take corrective measures.

This was stated by speakers at a seminar on “Health Protection and Climate Changes” to mark the World Health Day here on Monday.

The faculty of Community Medicines and Public Health Sciences, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, has organised the seminar.

Speaking on the occasion, acting University Vice-Chancellor Syed Ghulam Qadir Shah said that the environmental pollution was a cause of many diseases and according to experts rise in global warming would result in fast melting of glaciers which would ultimately raise the water level of oceans and speed up climate change.

He said due to this, a large area of land might disappear beneath oceans and many countries may submerge under flood waters.

The dean of the faculty, Prof Rafique Ahmed Soomro, in his speech said change in climate had seriously affected the fundamental determinants of health, water, air and food.

He said waterborne and vector-borne diseases and malnutrition are on the rise throughout the world.

He said it was up to the policymakers at national and international levels to find ways to check impending disaster.