FIGHTING DISEASES

The Kathmandu Post

(22 January 2010)
]

Fighting diseases

It was very encouraging to know that The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) has timely decided to set up community rapid response teams (CRRT) to fight with outbreaks of diseases (“Teams to fight cholera” Jan.21, Page4). Let us hope that people out in the remote villages now won’t have to face untimely death as happened last year in Jajarkot, Dailekh and Rukum districts where over 300 lives were lost. However, CRRT alone won’t suffice.

Polluted water, eating rotten foods, poor hygiene and sanitation are the main causes for outbreak of diseases in the rural areas. Unless the level of awareness on these issues among the community people is raised, there is chance of water-borne diseases spreading. To remedy the situation, the MoHP has to train its Sub Health Post and Health Post based health workers on awareness drives and preventive measures. Also, the MoHP needs to improve its medicines supply system to health care facilities and full up the vacant positions without wasting any more time.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharjgunj, Kathmandu