Need for health information vital

Health has become a hot topic in the past few weeks, mainly due to the dengue epidemic. As we mentioned last week, prevention is the key to keeping many diseases at bay. But the public should have some knowledge of how that objective can be achieved.

This is where terms such as 'health awareness and education' have come in. Sri Lankans are highly literate, the vast majority of children are attending school, and television, radio and newspapers reach millions of people. So why are Sri Lankans lacking health awareness ?

This is a serious issue that health authorities should look into. But we are told that a first step is being taken to address this issue.

Minister Maithripala Sirisena has instructed Ministry officials to produce a `Health Hand Book' for the use of all Sri Lankan families, especially schoolchildren and their parents.

The hand book will include all topics such as public health, STD/HIV control, problems and answers relevant to adolescent and general knowledge on health. The book wii be published and distributed among all families and libraries free before the end of this year.

According to news reports, the main objective of this booklet is to provide answers and knowledge to Sri Lankans on their day-to-day health problems and requirements.

This is a long-felt need and a step in the right direction. There will be critics and detractors who will question the printing and distribution costs, but it will certainly be worth it if the 'health cost' for treating diseases can be reduced as a result of this initiative.

Despite a media proliferation, most Sri Lankans do not have access to accurate and up-to-date health information. There are health sections in newspapers, schools give health lessons, television and radio stations regularly feature health programs, but they do not reach everyone. Some of these programs lack proper focus and even give false information. Moreover, not all health areas are covered.

The book will hopefully address this void. What information should the book contain ? The Health Ministry experts are the most qualified to answer this question, but the public would certainly like to have more precise information on a variety of medical conditions and diseases which have gained prominence recently.

Dengue is the most obvious example, judging by current events. Apart from preventive measures, most people have little or no idea about dengue symptoms. This is one reason why many people do not take patients to hospital until the disease has reached an advanced stage, which may result in death. The book is likely to have information on all other mosquito-borne diseases including malaria and filaria.

Heart attacks have also emerged as a major killer in Sri Lanka. It would be timely for the book to have advice on avoiding lifestyle diseases, tips on healthy eating, exercise, signs/symptoms of heart disease and other relevant information. The ill effects of smoking and alcohol consumption are also likely to be included.

Diabetes is another silent killer that the book should focus on. Apparently, many people do not even know they have the disease, which can lead to blindness and many other complications. Many do not know about the early signs of diabetes, so it would be helpful to detail them.

There should be advice on general and oral hygiene as well. Eye care is another vital section. Diseases caused by worms are very common in Sri Lanka and readers should be advised on those. Childhood diseases too can be touched upon. The steps that should be followed in case of poison ingestion, snake and animal bites and household accidents should also be included. Information on vaccination and generic medications (the non-branded alternatives to expensive branded medications) will also be welcome.

One of the major 'problem areas' has been sex education. According to a recent news item, around 1,000 illegal abortions are performed daily in Sri Lanka and in one such case that shocked the entire country last week, the victim died. These unwanted pregnancies occur because youngsters have little or no knowledge on sex and reproductive health.

Obviously, sex education should start from school level. Teenagers and youth should have a good understanding about sexual matters to avoid getting into trouble. Information on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) and HIV/AIDS must be provided. The media should also be more pro-active in this regard.

Hospitals and medical facilities are another aspect the book should focus on. Most people in the provinces rush to the main hospitals in Colombo or 'channel' specialist doctors even for relatively minor ailments, under the impression that rural hospitals and doctors are not equipped to handle most diseases. This is simply not true. Many regional hospitals are well equipped and in fact, there is no need to rush to Colombo except perhaps for critical cases.

It would thus be helpful if a book of this nature can detail the medical facilities available at a typical Government hospital.

With Sri Lanka having a fine Ayurvedic tradition, there should be more publications that detail Ayurvedic advice and cures for many ailments. In any case, there are many time-tested local remedies which have a good track record for generations. These could be introduced to a modern audience, who in turn would be able to save a packet on Western medicine that is usually taken for even minor ailments.

In many other countries, the authorities regularly publish Public Service Announcements (PSAs) on various health-related issues in both print and electronic media. They also give physical sources and websites where further information can be obtained from.

The mobile, which almost every Lankan has now, is another ideal platform for short health PSAs. PSAs are very rare in Sri Lanka.

It is time that Sri Lankan authorities adopt the practice of making regular PSAs for the benefit of the public.The health sector must be more pro-active to counter the health threats confronting the nation. Stakeholders in both the public and private sectors in the health arena must cooperate to address these issues. It is only by a collective approach that we can successfully challenge the issues facing the health sector.