Shimla: Union Health Minister J P Nadda yesterday said that observing International Yoga Day on June 21 would be a major initiative towards prevention of lifestyle diseases like blood pressure and diabetics, and lead to holistic approach in preventive health care.
The Day is being observed by NGOs and the government is only extending logistic support for checking blood pressure and testing blood samples for documentation, he added.
During International Yoga Day, 500 camps of one week duration would be held and blood pressure and blood testing of those attending the camps would be monitored before and after the camp and documentation would be done to establish impact of yoga on stress levels and its scientific validity would also be proved.
Nadda said that the focus is shifting from communicable diseases to non-communicable diseases and blood pressure, diabetics, cancer and a holistic approach is required for preventive care which would reduce pressure on curative care.