The Hindu : Kerala News : Change approach

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Sunday, Apr 13, 2008
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Kerala

Kerala

Change approach

The unseasonal summer rain has set off fears of a fresh fever and disease cycle in Kerala. What is the way out of such a prospect? Our readers respond:

The summer rain has caused wide-spread damage. The untimely rain has been causing worries to a sizeable section of society. Apart from widespread destruction of standing and sprouting crops, an outbreak of communicable diseases is witnessed whenever intermittent rainfall occurs. Climate change is a grave issue confronting mankind and any laxity on our part in tackling the changing scenario will compound the mess on the health front. It is noticed that vector-borne diseases are on the rise during the rainy season. Last year, we witnessed a massive outbreak of chikungunya in the State. In the preceding years it was weil’s disease. Mosquito eradication should be a high-priority exercise we should take up. Similarly, the rat population should be reduced drastically. The government has this time embarked on a massive health awareness drive with the departments of Health, Revenue, Water Resources, Education and Local Self-governments joining hands to prevent water-borne diseases. The involvement of the Kerala State Pollution Control Board has also been thoughtfully solicited. The concerted efforts indicate a positive approach to the serious issue. The task of the government should be easier this time as there is already some degree of awareness about water-borne diseases among the public. However, our failure to draw proper lessons from bitter experiences and our general apathy can make matters worse. The ongoing stir of the medical fraternity needs to be settled amicably. All vacancies in the health sector should be filled on a war footing. Public participation is the backbone of all endeavours aimed at creating a healthy society. Also, it is high time that we find out the reasons for this vagary of nature. It should not be seen as an isolated case. It is part of a larger change that is gradually creeping in. We should take steps to address it also.

N.K. Vijayan

Kizhakkambalam

Concerted action

Ours is known to be a remarkably clean State. But now, Kerala appears to be moving to a position of being the filthiest place. Lack of cleanliness and dumping of garbage in open places or into water bodies are becoming wide-spread. There are ample breeding grounds for mosquitoes. The effect of climate change is a new dimension that to has made matters worse. The rain continues it can aggravate the situation in the coming months. Concerted action by the government, the local bodies and the NGOs is the need of the hour. They should evolve a definite plan of action with accountability and proper monitoring and implement it on a war footing. Setting up of garbage disposal plants should be taken up on top-priority basis. There should be a plan to provide at least one such plant in each town. Dumping of garbage on the road should be made an offence. The designated officials of the local bodies should be armed with adequate powers to take spot action against such offenders. Any laxity on the part of the authorities concerned will lead to a terrible situation. The outbreak of diseases and loss of innocent lives can be avoided. Also, the financial burden to take up preventive measures will be far less than what the government may have to incur if the diseases spread.

M.M. Pillai

Perumbavur

Nature’s reaction

Nature is reacting sharply to man-induced changes. Unpredictable rain, drought etc are a result of this. The unusual quota of summer rain this time has caused damage to life and crop. Standing crops were damaged and vegetable production and cash crops were hit. Additionally, there are other effects which are not widely discussed. Untimely erosion of top soil can bring in changes in the ecological pattern of things. Rain which comes unawares can also bring in diseases.

Captain O.B. Nair Poonithura

Proper planning

We cannot prevent the rains. But we can definitely be more practical and professional in our approach. The government and the public should have a common forum to discuss and evolve strategies to combat such calamities. Though our predictions may not be accurate, we should anticipate and act accordingly.

Ambalath Aboobakar

Thrissur

Focus on prevention

Apart from the severe damage caused to the standing paddy and other crops, the fear of water-borne diseases looms large after this spell of rain. The government machinery should act before it assumes unmanageable and uncontrollable proportions. The focus should be on preventive measures like keeping places of public utility sanitised, creating awareness etc. The public on their part should ensure clean and hygienic surroundings and take due precaution particularly in using drinking water. The Health Department should undertake a crash survey of places susceptible to water borne diseases and initiate appropriate remedial measures. Captain R.K. Iyer

Kochi

Cause of concern

The outbreak of diseases during rains is a cause of concern. The strategies we use to tackle such situations are important. We need to have long-term plans with thrust on preventive action. Local bodies, NGOs and the public should be involved in devising steps to prevent outbreak. Public awareness should be created so that each family gets involved in such activities. Steps should be taken to harvest rainwater so that the excess water can be put to proper use whenever necessary.

K.V. Kunhikannan

Koyilandy

Hygiene is key

Kerala recently witnessed a recurrence of chikungunya, viral fever, rat fever and jaundice. Most of these are caused by unhygienic conditions. Rains aggravate the situation and this time, heavy summer showers have lasted longer.

Several of these diseases are preventable and are caused by our indifference to matters related to public hygiene. The public and the health authorities have a lackadaisical attitude towards public hygiene most of the year. Waste is allowed to accumulate in public places and overflowing drains are left unattended. The blame game begins after the outbreak of a disease. By that time, it will be too late for preventive measures. Temporary steps, done in a hurry, will not address the matter either. A lasting solution is better consciousness about cleanliness in public places. We are very particular about personal hygiene but are equally casual about littering public places. This has to stop. A combination of voluntary action at the individual level and collective sharing of responsibility to keep the neighbourhood clean, will do wonders.

P. Prasand Thampy

Thiruvalla

Be prepared

We should be prepared to tackle all emergencies. We should be happy that we have surplus rainfall. We should devise strategies to put the excess amount of water to good use. We should not ignore the plight of those who suffer in the rains. We have sustained huge crop loss. We have seen many outbreaks of contagious diseases. But in this era of technological advancement, we should take steps to contain these outbreaks.

G. Rajagopalan

Thiruvananthapuram

Focus on prevention

Apart from the severe damage caused to the standing paddy and other crops, the fear of water-borne diseases looms large after this spell of rain. The government machinery should act before it assumes unmanageable and uncontrollable proportions. The focus should be on preventive measures like keeping places of public utility sanitised, creating awareness etc. The public on their part should ensure clean and hygienic surroundings and take due precaution particularly in using drinking water. The Health department should undertake a crash survey of places susceptible to water borne diseases and initiate appropriate remedial measures.

T.N. Ramachandran Nair

Thrissur

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