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Monday, 11 February 2013

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Simple test to prevent a stroke

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.


Cleaner canteens needed

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.


Out with the Pawning Industry

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.


Neglected state of Mount-Lavinia town

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.


Flood Control and Drainage Board

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.


Beheading Rizana Nafeek

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.

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