Where’s medical aid?
The Himalayan Times
31
January 2014
Where’s medical aid?
It was really sad to read the news report of
diarrhoea outbreak in the remote villages of western districts as reported in
“Diarrhoea in control” (THT, 29 Jan, Page2) and “Diarrhoea outbreak spreads
panic in Jumla” (THT, 29 Jan, Page 6). The outbreaks seem a bit unusual as they
occur during the winter season. Otherwise, this sort of news from these
districts usually gets covered in the national dailies during the mid summer
and monsoon. In the past two years in Rukum district alone, more than 60 people
have lost their lives due to these outbreaks. The occurrence of diarrhoea is
mainly due to intake of unhygienic food, contaminated drinking water and lack
of proper sanitation. If these factors are properly taken care of, ninety
percent of waterborne diseases can be controlled.
As reported this time in Rukum district,
diarrhoea outbreaks have already claimed the lives of four innocent children
and more than thirty nine children had fallen ill. In Jumla, more than 20
children have been severely affected by this disease. It is still very
unfortunate to see the children dying of waterborne diseases that can be easily
prevented through some appropriate measures.
The health delivery system of the government
at the local level has to be made more effective in terms of raising health
awareness of the local people by actively mobilizing its health workers. If the
awareness campaign are properly organized and launched, the untimely death of
innocent children could be easily prevented.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj, Kathmandu
