According to a recent health bulletin, an estimated 10,500 people die
from strokes related to the condition, Atrial Fibrillation (AF) a year
and several thousands suffer from it. But that is thought to be the tip
of the iceberg because of delayed detection and diagnosis. An irregular
heartbeat can cause dizziness, shortness of breath and palpitation. It
can cause a racing heartbeat which could lead to tiny blood clots
triggering a stroke. The crux is that many people have no symptoms and
are unaware they are in danger.
However now, the good news is that a new blood pressure device which
automatically detects pulse irregularity can also spot a dangerous heart
condition has been introduced and that about 3,000 strokes could be
prevented a year if patients with the condition had appropriate
treatment. The device is to be considered for use on people with
suspected high blood pressure. It can also benefit those with suspected
Atrial Fibrillation (AF). Once detected, AF sufferers can then have an
existing ECG test. Increasing the detection should allow speedy
preventive clot-busting treatment.
AF is a major risk factor for stroke, increasing people's risk by up
to five times and resulting in around 8,500 strokes every year. Not
everyone who has AF will know they have it yet around 3,000 strokes each
year could be prevented if AF patients received appropriate treatment.
About one in six strokes is caused by an irregular pulse.
There is a higher likelihood that an AF-related stroke will be fatal.
Anything that can help identify and prevent an AF related stroke is
therefore good news. AF related strokes is far more devastating and
debilitating as it is more severe, meaning people are more likely to die
or be left severely disabled. The Health Ministry should take action to
equip all hospitals with this new device.
This device will help detect more AF patients, especially those at
high risk of stroke. When diagnosed they can have appropriate
anti-coagulation which could save thousands of lives. About 15 percent
of all strokes are caused by a form of irregular pulse and are usually
more severe.
Harshi Nadie Perera Piliyandala
Canteens in universities, state hospitals and schools have long
remained under bad management and it has become noticeably clear that
food served at such canteens are prepared and cooked under unsanitary
and unhygienic conditions, according to recent press reports.
There seems to be widespread discontent among consumers who patronize
these canteens about the low quality food and services provided at these
places. For example, the dust and untidiness of left-over food and
unwashed dishes are often seen on dirty counters. Such conditions have a
deleterious effect on the health of community life.
The ability to maintain cleanliness and to provide pure drinking
water, clean and wholesome food at reasonable prices should be the main
criterion for the issue of licences for canteens but sadly and
obviously, canteen owners have deviated from these specifications. The
practice of stale food being kept in fridges and the use of rigifoam
tend to attract cockroaches and similar harmful insects. People have
already expressed their strong dissatisfaction with this aspect of
canteens but canteen owners appear to have remained unmoved.
Health is the uppermost in people's minds. The first priority of the
government must be the health of the public. As such the authorities
should take swift action to upgrade the services by reorganizing canteen
facilities on acceptable lines.
Nandaratna Rajapaksha - Ambalangoda
Please allow me to point out another solution to the problem cited in
letter dated December 6, 2012 in the Citizen's Mail column. We all know
too well about the burden of interest.
It is an undeniable fact that interest has a great negative impact on
the society, economy and morality of human beings; an evil system for
humankind and society as a whole in all times in the history of
civilization.
However, which bank would like to give up pawing in the down-trodden
rural areas? It is indeed a business bringing in excessive profit
without much of a risk.
Ever expanding numbers of bank-branches all over the villages is the
proof of the profitable business of pawing.
Then, how do we save the poor villagers?
Expecting the top state banks and other financial institutions to
review their policy is nothing but hoping for redress from a willful
predator. Even any immediate relief from the government is also an
impossible task because of the inter-knit banking, financial and
governing policies. So, the only thing that could be done is to educate
the poor villager in whatever possible way about the ills of pawning.
The change has to come from the bottom.
We have to demonstrate how he could be better off avoiding those pawn
broking institutions.
He could sell his jewellry and invest in his business/farming. He
could always buy jewellry of his choice, after the harvest. He does not
have to pay a part of his blood, toil, tears, and sweat as interest.
Jamaldeen M. Ismail - Saudi Arabia
All authorities concerned, have so far shown an absolute lack of
interest regarding the shortcomings in the Mount Lavinia town. This is a
principal suburban town with educated residents and frequently
patronised by tourists due to its attractive beach, hence it needs
concern and better maintenance. The following factors need urgent
attention.
1. (a) The dangerous state of the pavements from Maliban Junction to
Dhakshinarama Junction. The concrete drain covers have been broken due
to heavy vehicles parked on them.
(b) Pavements being used as permanent parking places for three
wheelers. Three wheelers and motor cyclists using the pavement as an
escape route. Narrow spots of the pavement used by lottery ticket
sellers to erect cubicles. Some business establishments (hardware
dealers, loading and unloading on pavements). These activities cause
much risk to pedestrians.
2. The main Mount Lavinia bus stand is a mess. One a rainy day one
can clearly experience the sorry situation.
All these obstructions cause pedestrians to walk on the Galle Road
resulting in accidents. The cost of an accident to the state is immense.
The weekly Sunday Pola at the Mount Lavinia junction needs to be planned
out in a manner to benefit both the buyer and the seller. The unhygienic
conditions under which food items are sold, make one wonder whether
there is a Medial Officer of Health at this municipality. As a service
to the community, the municipality has miserably failed to perform.
Group of Concerned Rate Payers - Mt. Lavinia
A separate Flood Control and Drainage Board is an urgent necessity to
plan and develop a drainage system using aerial survey if necessary, to
prevent flooding of the low-lying residential areas and paddy fields in
future.
The National Water Supply and Drainage Board alone cannot tackle both
the huge tasks of providing drinking water, its maintenance and flood
water drainage.
In Malaysia, they have five feet deep drains almost like canals which
are four feet wide at the bottom and five feet wide at the top ground
level, together with a small drain inside the middle at the bottom to
function as a drainage system for both household waste water and floods
respectively.
Dr. C. Kanagasuntaram - Mt.Lavinia
There have been several criticisms against the punishment given to
Rizana Nafeek by the Saudi Arabia government.
This had been carried out according to the Islamic Sharia laws by the
courts in Saudi Arabia. If any person is found guilty of murder, such
person's life is taken off by cutting his neck, provided it is proved by
two witnesses and after a trial. If a person is found guilty of
stealing, he is not punished in the first instance. Only if the person
is found guilty on three instances of this offence, is his hand cut off.
Punishment is given irrespective of religion, caste, race or whether
rich or poor.
Once a wealthy woman had stolen something and it was brought to the
notice of Prophet Muhammed (Sal.) requesting forgiveness.
The Prophet was very angry and said anyone, even if his daughter is
found guilty he will order her hand be cut off.
I attended a meeting recently on unity among people of different
religions of Sri Lanka citizens. A high official, mentioning an incident
occurred in Saudi Arabia, referred to the country as which killed a girl
recently by cutting off her neck. If we think of verdicts given by
ancient Kings of Sri Lanka, we recollect the punishment enforced on
Madduma Bandara for the mistakes done by his father Ehelapola.
He was sentenced to death. His neck was ordered to be cut off. Do we
introduce Sri Lanka as a country which carried out such a punishment?
Certain people were even sentenced to death by tying their hands and
legs on two nearby trees and then cutting off the rope between the
trees.
The body got separated completely into two. Are these orders of kings
not cruel or harsh?
If punishments of this nature are in force for cruelty, crime and
murder such incidents can be minimized.
Seyyid Habeebullah Moulana - Colombo 3
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