HIV/ AIDS prevention and drug harm reduction program of ROD

Injecting Drug Users (IDU)are the main reason behind rapid and momentous escalation of HIV /AIDS infections. Although ROD is still not being funded by any mainstream International Donor, it still endeavors to eliminate or reduce HIV infections.

IN case any international donor is interested helping ROD:-

ROD has three plans to prevent HIV/AIDS.

1) Detoxification of IDUs. ROD plans to establish a Detox center for IDU especially and other drug Users generally.
2) To launch an awareness campaign for Sex Workers (Male and Female)and disseminating information about prevention of HIV/AIDS in schools and media.
3) To distribute disposable syringes and distilled water ( in some cases Avil) among IDU, to avert them sharing syringes and needles.

ROD entreats to all the International Donors to extend their hands and come forward and help ROD, eliminating HIV/AIDS from Pakistan.

To see the photographs of IDUs at Sargodha,click on the below link, or simply copy and paste it into you browser::

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11026729@N07/sets/72157614821247365/

TB convention held in Sargodha

TB convention held in Sargodha
By: Ms Khadijah Shah (Rays of Development Organization)

SARGODHA, PAKISTAN: A tuberculosis convention was held on Wednesday (today) at 11:00am under the auspices of the Sargodha District Government and the Asia Foundation in Jinnah Hall.

The Executive District Officer (Health) was the chief guest while DO (Health) was guest of honour on the occasion. District Coordinator TB Control Programme, Dr Sikander Hayat Warraich and Asia Foundation district field coordinator Faiz-ur- Rehman also addressed the convention to elaborate the steps being taken by the government and NGOs to combat the communicable disease. Doctors, lawyers, journalists, students, representatives of various NGOs and volunteers have been invited to the convention.

Dr Sikander stated that Sargodha surpasses the list from all over the country in working on the convention of TB.

Shamim Jahangir, the Executive District Officer of Finance and Planning proclaimed to have full domination over the dangerous but curable disease of TB, we are with full devotion and loyalty are trying to spread knowledge and awareness amongst people. We are not only working for the individuals as well as for the society. Our basic aim is to give more preference to the people of the locality than ourselves, trying to root out the evils like poverty, disease and ignorance from the phase of this world. But for this we need the contribution of every individual of the society.

The important members who were present in the convention were EDO Health Dr. S.M Firdoas, EDO Community Development Rana Mohammad Amin, District Officer of Health Dr. Hafiz Ghulam Qadir, and the Divisional Co-coordinator of the TB programme Dr. Riaz Ahmad were present on the occasion.

Dr. S.M Firdoas stated on this occasion that TB is dangerous but 100 percent curable as well. We need to play our full part in the treatment of those family members, friends and neighbors who are suffering from this disease. In the Sargodha District, all the governmental Hospitals as well as 14 non-government hospitals are giving free medicines and treatment to those who are afflicted by this disease. He pressurized the community to totally engage themselves in the 8 month treatment against this disease.

Dr. Sikander Hayat Waraich stated in the constant and sudden increase of this disease in our country is a serious issue which should be sorted out. He took an oath from all the health development workers that they will provide us with their best effort in hurling out TB from our country. In 1993 TB was declared as Global Emergency by WHO. In 2004 the battle of TB programme began in Sargodha District.

Dr. Riaz Ahmad addressed, ‘At this time there are 55 million patients of TB and amongst them are 2.2 million patients from Pakistan. Every year, 3 million are added into this figure in the World. Whereas every year in Pakistan, 0.62 million people are afflicted by this disease. He said that if the steps are not immediately taken then in 2020 one billion people will be the victims of this prompt disease. This disease is spreading even more rapidly than poverty and ignorance.

Faiz-ur-Rehman, the District field Co-coordinator of the Asia Foundation stated that it has become very important to take immediate steps against this disease. The Asia Foundation is playing an important role in this cause.

Four, NGOs Rahbar, Al Baka, Shauur and the Rays of Development Organization (ROD), participated with the Asia Foundation in this gigantic cause.

The Rays of Development Organization prepared an alerting stage drama on TB to promote awareness and devotion in the people to fight against this disease. The audience appreciated a lot the participants of this drama. From ROD, Farooq Bhatti and Azeem Rustam were the in charge of the stage settings. Nadia Aslam and Ms Tahira were there for the make up of the characters. Adil Naseem had the lights arrangement.

The stage drama showed the subsequent story. There was a girl named Rano, who was suffering severely from the dangerous disease of TB. Throughout the drama she was coughing constantly. She was a village girl and his ignorant parents and neighbors took her to the witch doctor but there was no remedy. Then she was taken to the professional doctor and he suggested her appropriate treatment. The performers were the following:

Main role of Rano-----------------------Beeta Yousaf
Father of Rano-------------------------- Imran Mazher
Mother of Rano-------------------------Ghazala Khursheed
Brother of Rano-------------------------Aashir Emmanuel
Fiancée-----------------------------------Shehzad Masih
The witch doctor------------------------Nadeem Samuel
Companions of witch doctor----------Washal and Raja
Neighbors--------------------------------Rosy Dewan and Ashir Laal
Doctor------------------------------------Ferhan Mazher
Nurse-------------------------------------Tehmina
Background Music---------------------Adnan Saeed
Writer------------------------------------Jawad Mazhar

The audience appreciated a lot the participants of this drama. In the end of the drama Ferhan Mazher, the doctor demonstrated the audience about the causes, symptoms, preventions and the significance of the treatment of TB.

At the end of the program every body signed the Commitment to Fight against TB at all levels.

Source:
Mr. Ferhan Mazher
Chairman,
Rays of Development Organization, Sargodha, Pakistan.
Visit:(http://RaysOfDevelopmentOrganization.BlogSpot.Com)

Grapple TB with enormous bludgeon of alertness persists

By: Ms Khadijah Shah (Rays of Development Organization fact Finding Team (RFFT))

Sargodha, Pakistan (ROD): On 4th August, at 11:00am, a program was held by the co-operation of the Asia Foundation Pakistan, and The Rays of Development Organization, at Information Technology Management (ITM) Commerce Campus, University Road, Sargodha. The lectures precised in the function were associated to the resistance aligned with Tuberculosis, Malaria and HIV/AIDS. The function was in accordance with the time table of students. From the brilliant approaching generation fifty (50) I.com students, a lecturer Madam Lubna and Mrs. Mehboob, the principal. Both the NGOs were provided with freedom to give lectures and to guide students with liberty, about these treacherous diseases.

These NGOs have combined and taken the responsibility on their shoulders to guide students of Private schools and colleges, to lead a hale and hearty life as it is supposed that HEALTH IS WEALTH.

Nadeem Samuel and Imran Mazher from The Rays of Development Organization and Mohammad Asif the community activist and Faiz-ur-Rehman the field coordinator, from the Asia Foundation Pakistan, showed their crucial corporation in the function.

Lines printed on slogans were justified and conferred by both NGOs. First slogan marked that Tuberculosis is curable. Mohammad Asif responded to several questions, for making the conceptions of the students obvious.

The questions were as following:
1. What is Tuberculosis?
Ans: It is the disease of lungs but on certain conditions it can also effect the assisting organs of the body.
2. Can Tuberculosis spread its viruses?
Ans: Yes, it can spread it viruses when an infected patient spits, coughs or sneezes.
3. What are the symptoms of Tuberculosis?
Ans: Cough prolongs three weeks or even more that that, blood comes in the spit, normally the patient suffers from temperature and the weight decreases.
4. Where can be Tuberculosis diagnosed?
Ans: It can be diagnosed from a nearby Hospital, Health and Tuberculosis Center. To diagnose the disease the sputum test is taken.
5. How can it be cured?
Ans: There is no need to get worried because National Tuberculosis Control program is started and World Health Organization has started a program named DOTS (directly observed therapy short course), due to which the patient should without any delay refer to these programs and they will provide him with a special tablets which he has to take for 8 months on a regular basis.
6. Where can is this medicine available?
Ans: This medicine is available at almost every medical store or hospital and in the Government hospitals, it is provided without any financial restriction.

Mr. Faiz-ur-Rehman the field coordinator (TAF) and Nadeem Samuel shared their understanding impressively, with the undergraduates. He told the students about the important steps that are to be taken.
1. The patient should not give unnecessary gaps in taking the medicine and the medicine should be taken with the proper management of time.
2. A responsible man should become his caretaker or guardian.
3. The members of his family should not neglect him or send him somewhere else for the treatment. They should have a friendly and caring attitude towards him to bring some hope in his life.
4. Breast Feeding is harmless even when a woman is afflicted by this disease.
5. The Disease of Tuberculosis is curable and for the best result one has to take the medicine for 8 months and he has to be punctual in doing so without any delay. He should also consult a specialist for a regular check up to show the progress in his reports. Without the doctor's suggestion he should not discontinue the medicine.

Imran Mazher added persuasively that the man who is suffering of this disease should make the proper use of handkerchief while coughing, sneezing and spitting; as it can be effective in the open environment and can become the cause of annoyance in the lives of others. Nadeem Samuel distributed the packets of juices and Lays chips amongst the students.

Mrs. Mehboob, the principal thanked both organizations for providing the youth knowledge and for inculcating in their minds the awareness due to which they can lead a happy and healthy life in the society.

We then thanked Mrs. Mehboob for endowing us with a chance to interrelate with the students directly and provide them with the awareness of the bitter realities (diseases) of life, and they should be tackled with courage and determination.



Report Recommended by:

Mr. Ferhan Mazher,
Chairman,
Rays of Development Organization)

Sordid Drainage system of Pakistan (Survey by ROD)

Sordid Drainage system of Pakistan

Written by; Ms Khadijah Shah (ROD)

The water is polluted due to addition of chemical material of organic and inorganic nature. It is because of agricultural and industrial activities expansion. There are issues of solid waste management, disposal of medical, toxic, hospital waste, dumping of industrial and domestic effluent into the sea, smoldering garbage dumps, power plants, noise and air Pollution, water contamination, discharge of gases and chemicals from industries, cutting trees, elimination of mangroves along coastal lines and coastal erosion which should be taken in great consideration. Our drinking water is unsafe, and our factories are continuously releasing harmful by-products and discharging various types of effluents in our rivers and sea while thousands of vehicles throughout the cities continuously emit smoke, but conviction of the offenders is still a far cry.

I would like to draw the attention of the authorities to the unhygienic conditions in several places of Pakistan. Anyone who visits them can feel the need for having better arrangements for their cleanliness. There are malodorous rubbish heaps to be seen here and there in the streets with flies hovering over them causing and dispersing diseases.

Then there are puddles of muck outside the houses, providing appropriate conditions for the generation of mosquitoes on them, causing malaria that is a common disease here.

Tons of garbage and rubbish are dumped underground. This causes insanitary. The solid waste blocks the main sewage, resulting into the blockage of the main drainage and eventually the dirty water starts leaking out. Such areas filled with garbage hills need immediate cleaning. During the rainy season situation gets critical with outbreaks of cholera and other seasonal epidemics.

With more roads with swarming traffic and aircrafts’ traffic, the atmosphere is further polluted.
With enormous increase in the population, need of sanitation facilities, houses, roads and other facilities gets momentum, resulting into heaps of garbage, shrinking the jungle territories and deficiency of clean drinking water.

According to Dr. Hassan Murtaza Shah (M.B.B.S), sewage waste which is often left off the road by sanitary workers which contains pathogenic bacteria that cause diseases like typhoid, typhus, cholera and hepatitis. Soon that waste desiccates and turns into dust and enters into our houses making them polluted and unhygienic.This dust can infect breathing passages, reduce lungs' working capacity, and causing dyspneic, pain when inhaling deeply, wheezing, and coughing. It can cause eye and nose irritation and it dries out the protective membranes of the nose and throat and interferes with the body’s ability to fight infection, increasing susceptibility to illness. The dirty stagnant water had increased the number of cholera and measles patients. He said out of every 100 patients, 20 had measles, while 15 were affected by cholera. He also told us about the case of a 5 year old girl Sara Ilyas, who died due to the disease Cholera. This disease caught hold of this innocent victim because her surrounding and atmosphere was full of pollution. The gutter system was not proper their and was not cleaned regularly.

Mohammad Javed, a paramedic and a child specialist, said out of every 10 child patients, six suffered from cholera.

Hafiz Muhammad Anwer of Jhang Batir said his six children and brothers were suffering from measles and held the stagnant dirty water responsible for diseases. He said his children could not go to school. Hafiz Shaukat Ali of Kund said his parents were sick but he could not manage to take them to hospital because of the dirty stagnant water. He said he had to hire a rickshaw to cover just 30 feet distance to reach his doorstep from the road. These people tried to ask help from the Government but no one had paid attention to their pleas.

There should be proper arrangements for the regular removal of rubbish from the street. The rubbish trucks or carriages of the Corporation should carry it away daily. There should be arrangements for proper drainage of dirty water from the streets. The waste filthy black water should not be left on the streets as it is very harmful and the streets should be kept neat and clean. Proper steps should be taken as soon as possible to prove that Pakistan is in true sense a clean, “PAKEEZA” ( Pious, flawless and without blemish) country.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Data /Information collected and compiled by ROD Fact Finding Team comprising of;

Jawad Mazhar, Nadeem Samuel, Adil Naseem, Adnan Saeed, Imran Mazher and Ms Khadijah Shah

Special Thanks to;

Dr. Hassan Murtaza Shah
(M.B.B.S)

Mohammad Javed
(Paramedic & Child Specialist)

Recommended by;

Mr Ferhan Mazher,

(Chairman)

‘Rays of Development Organization’, Sargodha, Pakistan

www.RaysOfDevelopment.Org

JawadMazhar.BlogSpot.Com

00923216012462, 00923068989406

(Compiled by: Jawad Mazhar (ROD)