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