LUCKNOW: Lucknow chapter of the Indian medical Association (IMA) on Wednesday wrote to the World Health Organization (WHO) asking for addition of the words 'spiritual well being' in the official definition of 'health'.
In the letter addressed to Dr Margaret Chan, director general, WHO, the association brought to fore the theme of World Health Day-2017 -'Depression Let's Talk' as the reason for the demand. "The current definition of health says that it is a complete state of physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. But with this year's world health day theme being depression, it is clear that it also pertains to inner wellness," said Dr PK Gupta, president, IMA Lucknow.
The letter claims that such an addition to the official definition will create awareness about inner well being attainable through spiritual means such as yoga, meditation, prayer and others. World health day is celebrated annually across the globe on April 7.