Hyderabad, April 26 (IANS). Telangana Industries and Information Technology Minister D. Sridhar Babu on Sunday said the state government is committed to creating a healthy Telangana by strengthening public health services, improving government hospitals, and promoting preventive health care and awareness among all sections of the society.
The minister flagged off the ‘Global Oral Cancer Awareness Marathon’ organized by the Global Oral Cancer Trust in Hyderabad, warning that consumption of gutkha, pan masala, intoxicants and khaini pose serious health risks and can even be fatal.
Sridhar Babu said that the state government is taking strict steps to stop the consumption of drugs and their illegal sale.
He urged the youth to stay away from such harmful addictions and work towards building a bright future.
The minister flagged off the 10 kilometer run at ‘Satva Knowledge Park’ in Rayadurgam on Sunday.
He stressed that everyone should contribute towards building a healthy society, and encouraged the youth to adopt good habits like yoga and regular exercise.
Expressing concern over the increasing number of deaths due to unhealthy habits, he stressed the urgent need to raise awareness in the society.
Sridhar Babu called for a massive awareness campaign against harmful habits like gutkha consumption. He warned that tobacco consumption was leading to an increase in serious diseases like cancer, and urged people to stay away from it.
He said that initiatives like ‘Oral Cancer Awareness Marathon’ play an important role in spreading awareness about prevention, early detection and healthy lifestyle of the disease.
Cyberabad Police Commissioner M. Ramesh flagged off the 5 kilometer run. Dr. K., President of Global Oral Cancer Trust. Dilip Kumar told that this marathon was organized with the aim of increasing awareness about oral cancer. He highlighted that the disease is treatable if detected early, and advised people to get their health check-ups done regularly.
IT professionals from various software companies in the city, doctors, eminent personalities and youth, and participants from Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh took part in this marathon.
–IANS
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