Untimely deaths of children
Friday, 14 November 2008
ABOUT 110,000 children die every year before they reach the age of five due to water-borne diseases. It is a pity that we could not check the unwanted deaths.
Official statistics show, due to inadequate sanitation facilities, 65 million children under five are affected by water-borne diseases. This poses a threat to the possibility of the country's achievement of one of the important millennium development goals (MDGs).
A lack of cleanness as well as personal hygiene is pervasive among not only the poor but also others. A lack of awareness prevails across socio-economic classes. We see people do not pay attention in this regard whether at home, on the street or other places. We take unhealthy foods, unsafe water and do not hesitate to pollute the environment by dumping waste everywhere. The situation is aggravating. Different organisations including the media need to launch awareness campaigns.
If the situation is allowed to slip, it would be very difficult for us to achieve the MDGs on ensuring sanitation by 2015. So it has become urgent to find new ways to motivate all on the need for hygiene and cleanness in daily life. It will also help us curb premature deaths of 110,000 children of the country.
Bosir Ahmed
Khilgaon, Dhaka
Official statistics show, due to inadequate sanitation facilities, 65 million children under five are affected by water-borne diseases. This poses a threat to the possibility of the country's achievement of one of the important millennium development goals (MDGs).
A lack of cleanness as well as personal hygiene is pervasive among not only the poor but also others. A lack of awareness prevails across socio-economic classes. We see people do not pay attention in this regard whether at home, on the street or other places. We take unhealthy foods, unsafe water and do not hesitate to pollute the environment by dumping waste everywhere. The situation is aggravating. Different organisations including the media need to launch awareness campaigns.
If the situation is allowed to slip, it would be very difficult for us to achieve the MDGs on ensuring sanitation by 2015. So it has become urgent to find new ways to motivate all on the need for hygiene and cleanness in daily life. It will also help us curb premature deaths of 110,000 children of the country.
Bosir Ahmed
Khilgaon, Dhaka