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Saturday, 12 June 2010

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In-depth picture

Celebrated American writer Mark Twain described three kinds of lies - lies, damn lies and statistics. Perhaps he would have been influenced by happenings during his days. Whatever it is, statistics has been used very often more to conceal reality than to reveal it.

It could be said that statistics depicts the outer covering of a phenomenon rather than its kernel. Hence the need to go beyond statistics.

Sri Lanka has impressive health indices. Our maternal mortality and infant mortality are among the best in the developing world. Yet malnutrition looms large leading to premature deaths and stunted or wasted growth.

Statistics provide ammunition for debate but no cure for ailments. For example, an unknown kidney disease is spreading in the North Central province. Those afflicted are mostly poor peasants. The health authorities have not been able to diagnose it still. Though various reasons are given no confirmed cause has been found. Hence, it has become a problem to contain the disease. Much research is needed and it costs much money. Yet investments on research, including medical research depend on the availability of outside grants. Meanwhile patients continue to suffer. Hospital authorities are short of equipment and other facilities to attend to the vast numbers that need treatment. Poor patients are unable to seek private medical assistance, even if available.

There are also other diseases such as leptospirosis (rat fever) and leishmania that are spreading in many regions affecting mostly peasants and other poor strata of society. Periodically epidemics of Leptospirosis occur in the country. During the last outbreak in 2008, there were over 7,000 patients. They came mostly from the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kurunegala, Matara, Galle, Kandy and Matale.

Leishmania, a rare skin disease caused by a parasite generally harboured in animals is also spreading in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Matara districts. The danger lies in the fact that patients do not seek medical attention till long after getting it thus making it easier for the disease to spread from human to human. Though the disease could be treated effectively, treatment is expensive thus placing the poor in a most vulnerable state.

There is also the danger of the disease taking its dangerous form where the liver gets affected. There is an urgent need to make the people aware of how it is contacted so that preventive measures could be taken in time.

Statistics on the incidence of such diseases as diabetes and heart ailments also show a steep rise. Here again there is the need for preventive action for which there is no vote or budgetary allocation. Changing the sedentary lifestyle and inculcating healthy food habits would go a long way in minimizing the danger from such non-communicable diseases.

The need of the hour is to go beyond statistics and change the actual reality.


Economizing power

Power and Energy Minister should be commended for his attempt to solve the mess that is the Ceylon Electricity Board. His challenge is to convert the loss making top-heavy institution to a profitable one providing power to the people at an affordable price.

He has initiated a series of measures aimed at minimizing losses. As outlined by him Thursday the proposed new method of obtaining power from private producers by paying only for the excess power that is added to the national grid when the producer's own consumption has been accounted for is a welcome move. The same goes for the proposed reduced tariff for off-peak consumption of power.

It is also correct to charge the local government authorities for power consumed to illuminate streets etc. As they have been enjoying power free many street lights were switched on too early and switched off too late. One could even see street lamps burning at midday as if to compete with the sun.

Saving electricity is a saving for the future. Such saving could not be effected without sacrifice. It would be worthwhile for the honourable Minister to consider requesting the TV stations to reschedule the popular tele-dramas to off peak hours.

Remembering the press baron:

D R Wijewardene

ANCL Founder Chairman DR Wijewardene’s 60th death anniversary tomorrow

D R Wijewardene, a patriot who successfully exerted himself for the cause of ushering in self-government for our country and above all, the pioneer Sinhalese Buddhist newspaper entrepreneur who became a renowned press baron passed away 60 years ago on 13 June, 1950.

Full Story

The Morning Inspection

Reflections on bouquet, melodies and tapestries

Referring to something I wrote recently (‘There are republics I would die for,’ Daily News of June 10, 2010), Indrani Peries recalls an incident that happened decades ago.

Full Story

On My Watch

Indo-Lanka relations on a successful plane

Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh appears determined to use the opportunity created by the Tigers’ demise to fully normalize relations with its southern neighbour and to embrace the regime, states the Wall Street Journal on President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to India this week.

Full Story

Keheliya on the ‘Media Highway’

Patriotism itself speaks volumes for the depth of conviction that drew him into the cause of politics. That mind made him believe, country came first and family second. At school he said,

Full Story

 

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