The increasing heat wave experienced in the Asian region will lead to premature deaths and drastically intensify respiratory and heart diseases, Health and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva warned last week. "The change in temperatures will increase the risks associated with water borne diseases such as diarrhea and cholera", he noted.

Addressing the Thai National Health Assembly in Bangkok, the Minister said the increase in temperature will result in drought. The ensuing crop failures will increase malnutrition which in turn will lead to higher morbidity, mortality and tension between communities. "However, the knowledge and concern levels of the populations in our countries on the global change are inadequate", he pointed out. The WHO is also making an effort to prepare the Asian region countries to face the outcome of climatic changes. But this alone is not sufficient, he explained. "We need to organize ourselves at a global level". One such step will be the Conference organized by the Commonwealth Foundation on ‘Climate Changes’ in Colombo in March 2009.

Speaking on the impact of globalization on health issues, de Silva said the positive effects are the easy access to health information over the internet.

"However many of the direct and indirect effects that we see are negative. Two aspects that have a profound effect on health are trade in health products – especially pharmaceuticals and the rise in commodity prices".

The other burning issue lies with the migration of health personnel - doctors, nurses and other paramedical grades. The WHO has taken an initiative to draft a ‘Code of Practice for International Recruitment of Health Personnel’.