The western world seems to be wasting all its energies and resources
to find cure for so many diseases without realizing that there is an
easy way to cure these ailments in a very short period of time. Our
leaders are a living proof of this miracle whereas when under
detention, a long list of ailments surface which enable them to
spend their days in captivity in the comfortable VVIP wards of the
Hospitals. However, the moment they come in power, all these
ailments simply vanish as if they never existed. When will the
western world learn from us to save millions of dollars spent on
medical research. —Islamabad
Where is political leadership?
Waqar Khan
While Pakistan Army is fighting in South Waziristan and the jawans
and officers are giving their lives, the mainstream political
leadership has seemingly disappeared from the scene. Nawaz Sharif,
Maulana Fazalur Rehamn, Sheikh Rasheed and many other prominent
leaders, are not speaking anything in favour of military operation,
nor are they doing anything for the IDPs. During Swat operation all
political leaders along with ruling party leaders spoke bluntly but
are now so quiet and calm. Nation would not let them stay away from
the issue when sons of the soil are giving their lives. Its shameful
when nation is at war the politicians are busy in hoarding sugar and
floor. If they don’t deliver in the time of test and trial they
would be facing severe repercussions for the same.
Nation want these politicians to come forward to do something for
the national interest if they think that fighting the terrorists and
then looking after the IDPs is the sole responsibility of army only,
Our so called leaders have to come out from their luxurious drawing
rooms to mobilize the people to play their role to look after the
IDPs and to support their valiant soldiers in order to fight
terrorism. —Swabi
Condolence with Wasim Akram
S Maria Naqvi
On behalf of supporters and the entire Pakistani nation, who are
indebted to ex-Pakistani cricket team captain Waseem Akram for the
services he rendered for Pakistan cricket, I convey my heartiest
condolence to him on the untimely death of his wife. Huma Akram’s
selfless efforts to bring about a positive change in our cricket
team can never be forgotten. Mr Akram, we are with you in this time
of grief as we had always been with you when you needed our support
during your time as a cricketer. We will never leave you alone. May
Allah rest her soul in peace, Ameen. —Karachi
Avoiding Dengue fever
Bushra Siddique
Dengue fever is perhaps the most devastating viral disease of humans
in the world today. According to WHO, around 2.5 billion people
totalling two fifths of the world’s population, are at risk from
dengue fever. It is estimated that each year around 50 million cases
of dengue infection are occurrring worldwide. In more than 100
countries, dengue fever is categorized as an epidemic.
Dengue fever is also called break-bone or bone crusher flue like
fever, caused by a virus DENV. It occurs in two forms, dengue fever
(DF) and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). Its symptoms are headache,
abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle and joint pains
and body rashes. In children DF is usually mild. In some adults DF
may be associated with prolonged fatigue, severe bone pain and
depression. In DHF, high fever continues for 5-6 days which comes
down on the third or the fourth day but rises again. Its symptoms
are black stools like coal tar, excessive thirst, plasma leakage and
loss of platelets. If the patient has persistent fever for more than
two days then he/she should go for Complete Blood Checkup or CBC. If
the platelet count and white blood cell count are below normal
range, dengue antigen test should be taken. Dengue is most common in
tropical and sub-tropical regions where it is spread through Aedes
aegypti which is commonly called as tiger-mosquito. Indoors it hides
in closets and other dark places. Outdoors it hides in cool and
shaded areas. Dengue mosquitoes bite during the day time, therefore,
one should wear full-sleeve clothes and long dresses to cover the
limbs. When bedroom is not air conditioned or screened, one should
use mosquito netting over the bed in the bedroom. For additional
protection mosquito netting can be treated with the insecticide
permethrin. In bedroom, windows or doorways, spray of insect
repellent and insecticides like permethrin, DEET repellents (N, N-diethylmetatoluamide)
or of similar kind. Mosquito coils and electric vapour mats can be
used during the daytime or in air conditioned rooms. Breaking the
cycle of mosquito-human-mosquito infection is very important.
Mosquitoes become infected when they bite people who are sick with
dengue. Mosquito nets and mosquito coils will effectively prevent
more mosquitoes from biting sick people and help stop spreading
dengue.
Dengue mosquitoes breed in open to air water collection systems.
Their favourite breeding places are barrels, drums, jars, pots,
buckets, flower vases, plant saucers, water tanks, discarded
bottles/tins, tyres and places where rainwater collects. To stop its
growth, we need to drain disused household items, e.g., air coolers,
water tanks, barrels, drums, buckets, etc. All water storage
containers must be kept covered. Indoor water containing objects,
e.g. plant saucers must be removed. Discarded containers e.g.
bottles, plastic bags, tins, tyres, etc. must be collected and
disposed properly. It is estimated that by adopting just preventive
measures, deaths toll of dengue fever can be reduced to less than
1%. —Rawalpindi
Higher education
Qudrat Ullah
A 2006-2007 report by German Federal Statistical Office shows that
literacy rate in Pakistan has risen to 55 % but enhancing equitable
access to higher education still remains a formidable challenge as
enrollment in higher education is only 4.7%.
It should be a matter of concern for us that Pakistan is lagging far
behind in education sector in world perspective; our universities
only give degrees and ignore research and innovation. And, this is
the collective dilemma of the whole of Muslim world that they stand
nowhere in the research and development (R&D) and education sectors.
We fail to realize that highest national strength is not gold, oil
or anything else; but educated and trained human resource are the
real worth of a nation. And it is the Universities which develop
this human resource. Our Universities must prove themselves as the
best research and development institutions which should also carry
out research in all fields and give market-driven knowledge and
understanding to their students and teach them how to succeed with
innovative ideas. —Lahore
