Amidst a health crisis that has wreaked havoc in the country, the health authorities express concerns about the risk of the re-emergence of another health crisis.
On Monday (27), the Health Ministry’s Anti Malaria Campaign warned that there is a risk of the spread of the malaria virus in the country, five years after the World Health Organisation (WHO) certified that malaria has been eliminated from Sri Lanka. According to the Campaign’s Director Dr. Prasad Ranaweera, every year, the health authorities receive reports about malaria-infected people entering the country, a majority of which can be linked to travel to and from African countries.
The authorities are vowing to do their best to prevent a malaria outbreak in the country, and what they expect is the people’s co-operation. However, can we expect the people to take health matters seriously, is a question that has been asked countless times after Covid-19 broke out.
As has been seen during the Covid-19 pandemic, the people’s responsibility is something Sri Lankans conveniently ignore and forget when it comes to issues of national interest, including health-related matters. Most of the time, the people tend to ask the authorities to solve these issues, and also take responsibility when the authorities fail to address them or deliver results acceptable and satisfactory to the people.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic taught a lesson to Sri Lankans that despite the indisputable fact that the authorities have a massive responsibility, the people have a much bigger responsibility, which cannot be replaced by what the authorities can and should do. For example, during the pandemic, what the health authorities could do was impose travel restrictions or curfews, but the responsibility of adhering to them was mostly, if not entirely, with the people. It would not be wrong to say that the people’s failure or unwillingness to do so was a significant factor that resulted in an increase in Covid-19 cases in some instances, especially after this year’s Sinhala and Hindu New Year.
When it comes to concerns about malaria too, the people have a responsibility to fulfil for the wellbeing of themselves and of others.
Dr. Ranaweera explained this situation, noting: “If one district is at risk, the entire country is at risk.”
The health authorities have issued several instructions in this regard. They advise those who return to Sri Lanka after 1 January 2022 from any country that is reporting malaria cases to get a blood test done, among other tests available to test malaria. Moreover, if such a person experiences flu-like symptoms, they are required to inform medical professionals if they have been abroad. As a precaution, travellers can also take certain medicines that prevent malaria infections before travelling to a country reporting malaria cases and after returning from such a country. These medicines are provided for free.
As much as the said steps sound exceedingly simple and practical, the people have to take their health and the health of others seriously.
Why do we have to remind people to take care of their own health? This is because people have a tendency to overestimate their immunity and underestimate the seriousness of diseases. The importance of taking health matters seriously has been repeatedly stressed during the past one-and-a-half years in the Covid-19 context. However, there was little adherence to instructions, and even today, we can see many who are not interested in following even the simplest of instructions such as wearing a facemask.
Covid-19 has taken its toll on many aspects of not only the health sector, but also the economy, which in turn affects the health sector. In this context, while other challenges are inevitable, some such as the malaria threat, are preventable. However, it is only possible if the people extend their support.People’s anti-malarial responsibility
30 Dec 2021
People’s anti-malarial responsibility
30 Dec 2021
Amidst a health crisis that has wreaked havoc in the country, the health authorities express concerns about the risk of the re-emergence of another health crisis.
On Monday (27), the Health Ministry’s Anti Malaria Campaign warned that there is a risk of the spread of the malaria virus in the country, five years after the World Health Organisation (WHO) certified that malaria has been eliminated from Sri Lanka. According to the Campaign’s Director Dr. Prasad Ranaweera, every year, the health authorities receive reports about malaria-infected people entering the country, a majority of which can be linked to travel to and from African countries.
The authorities are vowing to do their best to prevent a malaria outbreak in the country, and what they expect is the people’s co-operation. However, can we expect the people to take health matters seriously, is a question that has been asked countless times after Covid-19 broke out.
As has been seen during the Covid-19 pandemic, the people’s responsibility is something Sri Lankans conveniently ignore and forget when it comes to issues of national interest, including health-related matters. Most of the time, the people tend to ask the authorities to solve these issues, and also take responsibility when the authorities fail to address them or deliver results acceptable and satisfactory to the people.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic taught a lesson to Sri Lankans that despite the indisputable fact that the authorities have a massive responsibility, the people have a much bigger responsibility, which cannot be replaced by what the authorities can and should do. For example, during the pandemic, what the health authorities could do was impose travel restrictions or curfews, but the responsibility of adhering to them was mostly, if not entirely, with the people. It would not be wrong to say that the people’s failure or unwillingness to do so was a significant factor that resulted in an increase in Covid-19 cases in some instances, especially after this year’s Sinhala and Hindu New Year.
When it comes to concerns about malaria too, the people have a responsibility to fulfil for the wellbeing of themselves and of others.
Dr. Ranaweera explained this situation, noting: “If one district is at risk, the entire country is at risk.”
The health authorities have issued several instructions in this regard. They advise those who return to Sri Lanka after 1 January 2022 from any country that is reporting malaria cases to get a blood test done, among other tests available to test malaria. Moreover, if such a person experiences flu-like symptoms, they are required to inform medical professionals if they have been abroad. As a precaution, travellers can also take certain medicines that prevent malaria infections before travelling to a country reporting malaria cases and after returning from such a country. These medicines are provided for free.
As much as the said steps sound exceedingly simple and practical, the people have to take their health and the health of others seriously.
Why do we have to remind people to take care of their own health? This is because people have a tendency to overestimate their immunity and underestimate the seriousness of diseases. The importance of taking health matters seriously has been repeatedly stressed during the past one-and-a-half years in the Covid-19 context. However, there was little adherence to instructions, and even today, we can see many who are not interested in following even the simplest of instructions such as wearing a facemask.
Covid-19 has taken its toll on many aspects of not only the health sector, but also the economy, which in turn affects the health sector. In this context, while other challenges are inevitable, some such as the malaria threat, are preventable. However, it is only possible if the people extend their support.Kapruka
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Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!