Averting Winter Illnesses

With winter at its peak, the cold-induced ailments have surged, leading to a rise in patients with respiratory problems in hospitals. The cold wave in the Tarai and snowfall in the mountainous districts have disrupted the daily life of many people. Keeping the cold-related diseases such as cold, flu, complications arising from asthma, and even hypothermia and pneumonia at bay has become essential during this period of unfavourable weather. The advice and alerts from the healthcare professionals and authorities, indicate the need to take extra precautions to protect against health risks.  

The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) has stated that the government mechanisms are fully engaged in public sensitisation and free vaccination campaigns against rotavirus infections. As the cold-associated health complications afflict people every year, it is imperative for the concerned agencies to address their root causes, not just the symptoms. One area of concern raised by experts is the deteriorating quality of air during the winter season. With the fall in temperature, the quality of the air deteriorates due to more use of firewood and fossil fuels, as well as stagnant air conditions. Such toxic emissions exacerbate asthmatic disorders and chronic respiratory diseases while increasing the risks of cancer. 

Though year after year, health experts show such glaring concerns, measures to check the deteriorating quality of air during the winter months are always meagre. Public complacency and ignorance pose another challenge. The people treat influenza as a common cold, leading them to seek treatment when the disease gets worsened, especially among vulnerable groups. There has been an uptake of self-medication, which has been in the form of antibiotics obtained from medical pharmacies without a prescription. 

The toll of winter illnesses also lays bare the inequalities in society. It is the families that are living in homes which are inadequately heated, or do not have the clothing to keep warm, or cannot afford to eat nutritious food are at high risk. The advice of "drink hot water" or "wear warm clothing" has its merits but sounds ridiculous when the majority of people are finding it hard to fulfil these basic necessities of life.  

Preventive strategies like hand washing, staying away from the cold, consulting a physician early, and following guidelines for the usage of heating appliances would be helpful. Parents need to be extra careful when it comes to their children and diseases like diarrhoea, which have the potential to be deadly if overlooked. Winter-related health issues in Nepal have to be considered a predictable seasonal emergency, not a yearly revelation. The government needs to improve its primary healthcare and ensure that the dissemination of information translates into community behaviour. 

At the same time, people have to break the habit of overlooking early signs and improper use of medications. The harsh winter comes, with its chilling impacts but no one's health should suffer as a result. The people must be aware of the danger that it brings to the children, the elderly, the sick and the economically marginalised. Through concerted efforts, commitment, and good health practices, the winter-induced health hazards can be overcome without letting them become critical.