INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 4The flood has subsided, but indirect consequences such as diarrhoeal diseases, infectious
diseases, skin disease, and mental health issues are emerging to challenge us, according to Dr
Ajay Singh Thapa, who spoke to the Himalayan Times today during an inspection to check on flood victims in a few hospitals following a few
days of flooding in the valley.
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"Following the recent flood, we had over 10 flood-impacted patients in Bamp;B hospitals
We have seen a significant increase in patients, in addition to several other diseases such as diarrhoea, dengue fever, and trauma caused by
Thapa, Head of Emergency Department and Chief Consultant at Bamp;B Hospital in Gwarko, Lalitpur."One dead victim from the flood was brought
to the Bamp;B immediately after the landslip," he said
"She was a 65-year-old woman who was covered by a landslip for two hours in Sankha Devi, Lamatar area of Lalitpur
Another patient is still alive
She, too, is a victim of a landslide
These are the two major cases at Bamp;B."
Dr
Thapa expressed belief that the aftermath of floods and landslides would make things more difficult for patients and victims."In addition,
numerous places lack sanitation, which could exacerbate infectious diseases
So the disaster has passed, but a health disaster is looming if we fail to address it immediately
And if we do not do so, the situation will worsen
And we are prepared to work collaboratively because this is a national issue.""This needs to be addressed immediately through sanitation and
We should also check the water sanitation in the affected areas
Rehabilitation, resettlement, and counselling should all be expanded with government assistance
Because they could have lost numerous important documents and left without money to get food and in mental trauma.""Disasters are a common
occurrence that necessitate a collaborative effort to mitigate their effects
Because disasters essentially mean challenges that outnumber our resources," he explained."So we all should come together to recover the
resources, helping each other collaboratively because it requires multidimensional involvement," said Dr Thapa, who also serves as President
of the Nepalese Society of Emergency Physicians."Hence, all stakeholders, including the health, social, and economic sectors, must
collaborate to address the challenge
The victims might not have food, clothes and shelter
Because diarrhoeal diseases are going to significantly increase due to a lack of sanitation, and now is the time to start addressing these
issues," he added."What I also anticipate in a few days is that indirect impacts from the disasters will cause significantly more damage,"
"For example, infectious diseases associated with sanitation, fever, waterborne diseases, and skin diseases are expected to rise."He also
stated that these indirect effects will endanger people's health security due to water shortages
Because there is a scarcity of pure, safe water."This is also going to increase psychosocial issues like stress, which will have an indirect
impact on health," he said
"This will exacerbate indirect health issues significantly
Because some patients could be discharged but are unable to leave because their home is flooded and unsafe
Furthermore, their socioeconomic status has deteriorated."Dr
Thapa described this as the indirect impact because their home sanitation system has been completely destroyed.Dr
Thapa also explained the stages of disasters, such as direct impact (damages, wounds, and cuts) and the most dangerous impact (aftermath),
which occurs when floods have ended but psychosocial, socioeconomic, and sanitation issues remain
Furthermore, their physical infrastructures are damaged, preventing them from returning home
He also stated that the health minister was scheduled to visit the hospital and check on the victims.Meanwhile, Minister of Health and
Population Pradip Paudel visited the Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS) staff and urged them to make it easier for citizens to access
During today's PAHS inspection, he emphasised the importance of improving the academy's services."The services here are comparatively
better, and they need to be improved further," he said
"The online service should be more effective."PAHS Vice Chancellor Prof
Rajesh Nath Gongal stated that PAHS serves the greatest number of patients through its own funding and has requested that the Health
Minister provide funding for the construction of a new hospital building.
This article first appeared/also appeared in https://thehimalayantimes.com
