The Right Approach
Commitment Is The Key

By Prem N. Kakkar

TEN years of democracy and the people’s aspirations have not fully been fulfilled during the period. The 1990 that ushered in the much-expected democracy was greeted by almost everyone. Of course, there is no doubt over the fact that in an atmosphere of freedom, there is every opportunity for taking the country forward in its path towards prosperity or to say lead to the overall development of the country to materialise.

Need

Though ten years is not a long time in the life of a country but it is enough to devise strategies and programmes as per the needs of the people. It is the maturity of the leaders in a democracy that matters when efforts are required to do the needful in meeting the aspirations of the people. The rise in aspirations in the initial phases in the early 1990s was but a natural outcome of the events that had remained for three decades prior to it.

But what unfolded was that working in a democratic set-up was not familiar to many of the political leaders though they did have ideas of what to do in the days and years to come. With the new Constitution in force, there was evidently an air of euphoria that the future would be certain and better. It was evidently the need of the hour after a long gap of darkness. There was light at the end of the tunnel and the need was to give shape to plans and programmes once the elected government was installed. The Nepali Congress party government that came to power after the first general elections had its priority set. But some unfortunate events led to another round of mid-term polls and then followed a host of minority and coalition governments which slowed the momentum in the direction that was though essential for the well-being of the people.

What needs attention is that political commitment and action commensurate with it must be the driving force behind any government. First, when there is firm commitment, the task is made simpler by the very fact that the path is clear and only a helping hand by the mechanism devised for it needs to be activated to bring about the right achievement. Plans and programmes fail to deliver the goods if commitment is lacking. There are ample number of goods delivery that have suffered due to half hearted commitment.

Commitment in words alone does not do the trick as is evident. The need is to back it up with a relevant action plan. It’s easy to talk of hydro-power development only in theory does not make sense if we get bogged down in word play while the actual implementation aspect sees no way. The maze is all the more complicated with the paucity of funds though not with the availability of skilled manpower at our disposal.

Good governance, maintenance of law and order in all parts of the country and poverty alleviation are the key priorities pronounced by the present government headed by Prime Minister Koirala. There have been attempts to achieve the goals set forth. Even the presentation of the budget for the fiscal year 2000-2001 was done almost a month and a half back yet the whole case of the increased salaries of the civil servants took a long time solving so there was some dissatisfaction. The commitment was there but the implementation was a long time coming. Such types of problems must be visualised right at the outset so that they do not prove to be bottlenecks later on which can further complicate issues.

On the case of poverty alleviation, many programmes are in force including BP with the Poor. The commitment is there to alleviate poverty with a gradual enhancement of the economy that is increase in jobs, production and productivity among others. There have been some thrusts made but that is not enough as far as meeting the demands of the people are concerned. This is a crucial question.

When we realise that the western region of Nepal has been lagging behind in every sphere of development it can be seen that it was a lack of commitment towards raising the standard of life of the people in those regions. The realisation has now dawned that even if one development region is behind then it affects the country itself. The lack of resources may be a problem but there are other way to tackle them. What is needed is firm commitment before going on to make specific plans and programmes to tackle the issues at hand. Once there is commitment, there is enough impetus to take the action plan forward as the case may be.

The Maoist insurgency may also have its genesis in that the districts where they have flourished belong to the most neglected part of the country as far as taking development activities there is concerned. If there had been an interest in the problems of the backward regions long time ago that is when the partyless system was in force, the problem would not have become so aggravated in recent times. Even after democracy returned to the country, a sort of political instability, especially in the period 1994 to 1999 is held responsible in the shift of attention from the problems of the people to that of the hot seat and political power.

Mobilisation

Now that the majority NC government is there, there is every need to mobilise all resources to combat the challenges that confront us. And in this political commitment is a must with the appropriate policies and programmes in place. Then only the objectives will be achieved.

Controlling Diarrhoeal Diseases

By Balaram Sharma Chaulagain

THE increasing number of diarrhoeal cases in many developing countries like Nepal, where public health sector seems to be neglected has potentially resulted in several avoidable deaths. In the Nepalese context, nearly 50 thousands under-five children are believed to be dying due to diarrhoeal scourge every year.

Rough Analysis

This finding is jut a part of rough analysis conducted by Child Health Division of Department of Health Services of Nepal. Despite substantial amount of fund allocated to avert such health-related problems, the proliferation of this phenomenon is still on the rise. The above mentioned figure is just a tip of the iceberg. Besides, a large chunk of populace is believed to be uncovered by the government’s projection. A number of NGOs, INGOs along with some others international health authorities are synchronising with government’s effort to combat the situation. But the glaring picture prevailing in this sector reveals the investment in this field has to be increased and judiciously utilised. As such, Ministry of Health and other supporting wings must come up with new strategy and action plan to redress the situation correctly.

The first and foremost responsibility of the government should be to create awareness regarding the diarrhoeal disorder among mundane country men. For this, the general mass should be made aware of the causes and symptoms of diarrhoeal diseases. Less than four incidents of liquid stool within twenty four hours is known as simple diarrhoea whereas four to ten watery stool per day is moderate and more than ten loose motion in a day is termed as severe diarrhoea. Besides, the diarrhoeal disorder which persists longer than three weeks is called as a chronic diarrhoea. The major signs and symptoms of diarrhoea are unusual frequent loose motion, dark coloured scanty urine, sunken eyes, dry mouth, weak, thready and faster pulse, very sunken frontanelle in infants and so on. In the same way, other cardinal sign of diarrhoea is the skin condition: in normal diarrhoea a pinch on skin resumes quickly to former stage, in moderate stage of diarrhoea skin pinches goes back to its original stage slowly and in severe stage of diarrhoeal condition skin pinches goes back to its normal position very slowly.

Whatever may be the sign and symptoms of diarrhoeal disorders, the most crucial factor regarding this is timely treatment. Most of the diarrhoeal diseases occur due to contamination of food stuffs and water pollution. Hence, to escape from such ailments one take sanitary measures to be prevented from such grievance. After all, we must pay due attention to save the life of all from the ill fated casualties.

The sole basis of whole treatment plan of diarrhoea cases is to replace the fluid loss during the time of defecation and vomiting. Therefore, rehydration with basic electrolyte should be the prime objective of diarrhoeal disease control programme.

Treatment plan in diarrhoeal disorder can be categorised in three phases. In the first phase, the guardians most particularly mother should be explained to continue three home rules of rehydration. At first, the attending guardians or mother should be encouraged to give more fluid than usual. Here, fluid such as rice soup, fruits juice, hot lemon tea, milk pulse (dal) as well as such other liquid in-take should be increased in proportion to fluid loss. In case of a child, mother should be instructed to continue breast feeding more than average. In the second line of treatment the victim should be urged to consume usual food as much as he/she wants. Food items containing high amount of potassium, like banana and other easily digestible food are advisable. Lastly, in the home treatment procedures one should be alert to assess the sign of dehydration as mentioned above. In this stage if the victim’s condition become more severe, the amount of oral fluid should be increased.

The best widely recognised oral rehydration solution (ORS) is Jeeban Jal (J.J.). A globally accepted oral rehydration one litre solution as per W.H.O. recommended formula must contain sodium chloride trisodium citrate potassium chloride and glucose anhydrous. Such ORS can be prepared with clean drinking water and may be consumed within the period of 24 hours. After each loose stool substantial amount of ORS should be given to the casualties to cope with the dehydrated situation of the patient.

Rehydration with recommended electrolytes is a cornerstone in the process of treating a dehydrated casualty suffered from diarrhoea and vomiting. Overuse of glucose and sodium chloride may harm the diarrhoeal patients, instead of benefiting them. In the same way, unnecessary use of drugs without pathological investigation also may harm the patient suffering from diarrhoea. That is why, if available Jeeban Jal like solution should be preferred but in time of emergencies where J.J. is beyond reach we should not lag behind to prescribe other means of fluid to correct the fluid loss. If such home treatment with J.J. like solution fails we must have to seek the help of medical care where intra-venous fluid is given.

Peak Season

The incidence of diarrhoeal diseases rises sharply each year during the warm summer months. The small incidence of food-born diarrhoeal disorder, like gastro-enteritis and cholera, occurs each year from May to September. The epidemic tends to peak in July to August and subside by the beginning of the October as the climate of this period is most favourable for disease causing bacteria.

Roads Sprout Out In The Hills

By Mukti Rijal

THIS year Dashain rush was normal. Those willing to go out to villages- far and near- had not been seemingly disheartened. Bus tickets could be managed or availed without much hassles. Two reasons can be cited for this welcome situation. First there has been an added fleet of buses pressed for services during Dashain. Empty buses could be seen flocking to the capital only for big catch of passengers. They were seen queuing up to take advantage of the Dashain rush. Second, there was offer for reserved buses. People bound for same or adjoining destinations preferred to reserve buses to overcome the ticket crisis. The second option appeared more luring because it gave travelers some control over the bus. The halt of the buses at irregular intervals say five to ten minutes to collect passengers for short distances can be avoided. One who pays the piper calls the tune.

The improved road situation of the west of Karnali has have a positive impact on travel. As bridges along the road are more or less completed, the difficulties one had to endure are simply being mitigated. Buses run smooth. Those coming from India as far away as New Delhi opted to travel this route. Buses from and to Mahendranagar are packed. Why to travel different route if one can reach one’s own home in just two days free of travails, says a young Nepali in a chat with this scribe employed in a government agency of the state government of Haryana India. This writer took bus from Pyuthan bound for Mahendranagar and experienced an unexpected in-bus comfort and smooth bump-free ride upto Bhaluwang. This, may aver, could not be imagined during the previous years.

Many people destined to Arghakhanchi especially from the western and northern fringe of the district avoided traveling through 72KM Gorusinghia-Sandhikharka road. They took to Bhaluwang-Bijuwar (Pyuthan) road to go to their respective destinations. The only reason why may elected to traveling the road is the relatively better conditions of the 42KM Bhaluwang-Bijuwar road. It is just two and half hour bus ride from Bhaluwang to Bijuwar and the road keeps busy even during the rainy season. This year heavy precipitation blocked the major highways but the road gave more or less unhindered passage even during the peak monsoon. Thanks to the Jhimruk hydel project. The Pyuthan district is connected with the Mahendra Highway. Pyuthanis, till few years back, had to travel up to Dang through a steepy and treacherous fair-weather road and then descend down to Lamahi-a point in Mahendra Highway. These days they are relieved of the hassles. Bijuwar - a strategically located marketplace in Jimruk basin-is slowly emerging as a busy trading destinations. People say they get better bargain in Bijuwar than in any other marketplaces in the area.

These days one can notice a very big change in the districts. This change can be ascribed to the grant given by the government to Village Development Committees. VDCs place first priority on roads regardless the feasiblity of the conditions. Fair weather roads crisscross the hills. Tractors ply along such raods especially during the dry season. Most of the roads thus laid are the kind of indicriminate earth cutting in the hills. But the people’s urge to use amenities to alleviate difficulties cannot be ignored.

In fact, it is their unpaid labour that is at the core of the road phenomena in this hill districts.