ROLE OF ECOLOGY AND EDUCATION IN DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS

Enormous ecological diversity prevails in India and other countries of Asia. Health care programs need to be developed in a manner which comprise of diagnostics, symptoms, therapies against pathogenic microbes (viruses and bacteria) and parasites. A study of vectors for these has to be in place. Each region of India differs in its geography, ecosystem(s) and biodiversity. There is thus, a need to catalogue region-wise information. Health issues not only concern pathogens but also quality of air, water and food. Numerous renal, muscular, skeletal, respiratory, immunological, endocrine and fertility disorders occur due to pollutants that become an integral constituent of air, water and food. A nexus between ecology and educational processes is needed to sensitize right from rural to urban, Metro populations in India and other countries. Degradation of biomes is having an adverse effect on health of all sections of the society. This effects performance, output and other endeavor of humans in all sectors. Domestic animals are likewise detrimentally affected by poor quality of feed, water, air, therapeutic treatment. These in turn cause numerous health problems. Health care programs need to have inputs from ecology and from biomedical and other natural sciences. There can not be a single approach to address the extremely complex issues of health, hygiene and sanitation. Regional policies have to be developed. Education of these at school, college and university level is needed as a state policy. Synergy between educationists, ecologists and others is needed as this is a multidisciplinary issue.