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. |