For the first
time in the country, a multi-dimensional study on health and ecological impact
of mass gathering at a religious place is being held in Sabarimala, where a
large number of pilgrims are a potential risk for the transmission of
infectious diseases between pilgrims and to the indigenous population.
The study
conducted by the Santhigiri Social Research Institute and the Global health
Institute of Public Health aims at exploring three domains with respect to mass
gathering such as bio-medical, environmental and psycho-social problems. ''This
is the first multi-dimensional study focusing on health, environmental and
socio-cultural issues,'' said Dr K Rajasekharan Nayar, Santhigiri Social Research
Institute chief Fellow and Principal investigator of the study.
Noting that
mass gathering health/medicine is still in its infancy in India and there is a
need to explore and document the domains that are part of this area of
research, Nayar said that mass gatherings are regarded as potential risks for
transmission of infectious diseases. ''It is high time that we are aware of the
impact of health and ecological impact of mass gatherings. Sabarimala gains
significance where we have the highest concentration of people for a short
period in a short space,'' he said and added that several studies on mass
gathering have been conducted world wide. The study on mass gathering at Haj is
a typical example, he said.
Source: The New Indian Express
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