The changes
in the environment like climatic variations; pollution of air and water; stress
and strain of body and mind; other hereditary problems; and modern trends in
food habits like eating fast foods are the major reasons that create health
problems for the people.
The
general health of the people of Kumbalam has improved with literacy. Due to
torrential rains and excessive humidity of the atmosphere, May 15th
to November 15th is the unhealthiest period for very old people and
the young children, who play in the rain. The dampness and chill caused
rheumatism, cold, cough, fever, and pneumonia. Diarrhea and dysentery too
occur. It is the time for doctors especially the allopathic physicians to make
their quick buck. As the exploitation has increased, I have noted people going
to the medical shops to buy medicines without any prescription and consume it.
The use of medicines especially anti-biotic is very high in our state which has
badly affected the immunity and health of our people. However this practice of
self-medication is not advisable.
During my
childhood days there were some people, both men and women, having heavy legs
like an elephant due to a disease called elephantiasis, which was spread by Culex
mosquitoes. This was common in the water-logged and swampy areas of the delta
region. Now this is under control except very rare specimens. Now “Chicken
Gunia” and “Viral fever” are the two grave fevers that affect young and old
alike during monsoon days. Children are affected by round worms as well.
Epidemics
like cholera are unheard of nowadays. Small-pox too was completely eradicated
by vaccination drive by the government.
Chicken-pox makes its presence felt during sweltering summer. There are
some epileptic and insane persons in our Islands; they need free medical
attention and perennial supply of medicines.
The blind,
deaf, crippled, widows and unmarried women in our Islands have started getting
pensions and other benefits from the government. They too are entitled for a
decent living.
We have an
allopathic public health centre at Panangad with few beds and resident doctors.
The people at the northern areas of Kumbalam go to public health centre at
Nettoor as well. The poor patients cannot afford medicines, the prices are very
prohibitive. The government is duty bound to make available adequate medicines
free of costs to the poor. An Ayurvedic hospital with a doctor is servicing the
people. The Islanders request for a resident Ayurvedic doctor to serve them.
The poor
folk in our Islands lack sanitation facilities. They may be given liberal loans
to construct toilets, bath rooms and sewage tanks. This will avert pollution of
water bodies especially Vembanad Backwaters. Canals shall be constructed on all
road sides to drain out dirty water and excess water during monsoon; and keep
it clean. The local authorities and the public health department may construct
public lavatories and bath rooms and see that it is maintained properly. Make
awareness among the Islanders not to litter in public places; and not to throw
waste on their neighbour’s property. They should not only keep their premises
clean and tidy but also keep the land, air, water and keep the total village
clean and this would help in the improvement of Islander’s health.
I have
noticed that pollution of the environment is a serious problem which has to be
curtailed at the source itself. All plastic wastes, as far as possible, should
be reused or recycled. It is definitely the duty of the administration to find
suitable ways to recycle the non-bio-degradable wastes and / or ban such items
totally in the larger interest of the state to protect the environment. The
government should make proper arrangements for disposal of large quantity of
garbage from markets, hotel wastes and rubbish from hospitals. The local
authorities are justified in charging reasonable fees and charges from such
hotels, restaurants and other business places. Littering in public places
should be fined heavily to deter such individuals.
I
would like to appreciate the earnest efforts taken by the government to give
subsidy through local administration to erect compost pits and bio-gas plants
in an effort to reduce pollution is also commendable.
Excerpts from
MEMOIRS
An autobiography
by
Joseph J. Thayamkeril
Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.
josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com
josephjthayamkeril@google.com
josephjthayamkeril@gmail.com
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