The SARS virus is big news. Understandably. It is a virus,
mutant and mysterious, which in this extremely small and well-connected world is capable
of being transported within days across the globe. Globalisation means that it can move
from the remotest and poorest of villages to the homes of the richest. It is of no small
credit and achievement that the world science and administrative authorities are working
overtime to diagnose, investigate and take precautions to keep the disease from spreading.
Creditable. Impressive.
But put another way, it is also shameful. Where is the
same global leadership and determination when it comes to countless diseases that threaten
the poor? From the acute lower respiratory infection, which according to academic and
lifelong campaigner Kirk Smith kills 8200 people each day, to malaria, tuberculosis and
the AIDS pandemic, global commitment to eradicating diseases has never been more wanting
or pathetic.
This is also true of the growing problems of arsenicosis
and fluorosis. The extent of the problem and enormity of the tragedy caused by these
diseases in the subcontinent is indeed shocking and frightening. We are literally talking
about the crippling of these countries. Perhaps deliberately.  |
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| Suffering progress |
Rising
global temperatures will result in 290 million more cases of malaria worldwide |
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About 2.5 million
premature deaths will occur every year in India due to air emissions |
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Asthma,
diarrhoea, dengue, cancer, malnutrition will burden public health |
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Climate change is bad news for global human health. And fossil
fuels are the greatest culprits. Studies have shown that the atmospheric accumulation of
gases stemming primarily from fossil fuel combustion could increase the global surface
temperature by 1.5-4°C. Global warming will expand the range and incidence of vectorborne
diseases, increase the incidence of pathogens in freshwater |
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and exacerbate heat-stress related mortality. This might
beaccompanied by the ill-effects associated with ozone depletion,caused
by emissions of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gases. Effects would include increased skin
cancers and cataracts, as well as possible impacts on the human immune system that may
weaken resistance to some infectious diseases. |
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