Tsunami area children at high risk of multiple disabilities - Dr. Hafi

Several fact-finding surveys have been conducted during the last eight months of the aftermath of tsunami, however the credit goes to an independent Pakistani researcher for conducting the 'First' Epidemiological fact-finding and need analysis survey for the likelihood of different types of abnormalities in newly born and unborn babies, a news release from the Tsunami Disaster International syndicate said.

The survey, known as the 'Tsunami Child Retardation Risk Assessment' (CRRA) was primarily devised to detect, examine and gauge the risk of child retardation in the children below five years as well as in the unborn babies, in the post disaster situation. It also covered the essential analysis of drinking water and its contaminations, after the crucially poisonous water being absorbed by the soil.

All of the research work during CRRA and CRRM, which, actually requires a number of institutional superfluity, has been executed almost single-handedly by the researcher of Pakistan, a world renowned epidemiologist, Prof. Dr. Aurangzed Hafi.

On completion of the first epidemiological survey, Dr. Hafi has given an alert alarm for a vulnerable risk increase of child retardation in newly-born and unborn babies. He has emphasized upon the need of immediate action to be taken by the World Health Organization and UNICEF for this specific issue.

To bring the situation under control, some special immune enhancing and nutritional supplements should be developed and should be exclusively formulated, by focusing upon, and according to the specified needs of the post disaster situation, he mentioned.

The findings of CRRA survey along with the elucidated suggestions made by the researcher, have been made available to conscientious international agencies for further actions to be taken upon. The tsunami's CRRA Survey has provided core nucleus, on which response coordination can be built. It has provided important and major issues to be raised up and dealt with. On humanitarian basis, the researcher is willing to extend his services voluntarily, and ready to cooperate with governmental and non governmental organizations to help the victims of tsunami.

The officials of CSGU have reportedly confirmed that he has also voluntarily declined the remunerations for his services, offered by Sri Lanka, saying that the money of his wages should be spent upon poor retarded children of the tsunami camps.

Dr. Hafi is ready to embark upon tracking the next phase of his project, i.e. Tsunami Child Retardation Risk Management' (CRRM). In this phase of the project, he has also planned to provide the maximum possible quantity of the recommended nutritional supplements in Aceh, Sumatra, and Sri Lanka in an earliest possible time frame and seeks for philanthropic help by local, regional and international institutions, donors and organisational platforms.