Public Health

The thing about blame is that it usually comes full circle. As incidents of viral fever (Dengue, Chikugunya, etc.), in the city started increasing, we decided to investigate why there was such a widespread spurt this time, how it was being tracked, who was tracking it, what they were doing about it, if it could have been averted and how. We discovered a number of worrisome realities, and do not miss our report on pages 6 and 7. Here’s our view. First, the blame game. Doctors quietly charge the BBMP for failing in mosquito eradication this year in water logged…

The 5th International Canopy conference from 25th October - 31st october, 2009, in Bangalore, India.Details here For those interested...ATREE is also organizing a painting competition on the theme "Forest canopies" as part of the International canopy conference. Check the link for more details here ⊕References

Thirteen-year-old Rohan (name changed on request) was admitted to a private hospital around two weeks back after being down with fever for more than five days. A Cox town-based doctor prescribed antibiotics, but when the fever did not subside, his parents took him to a pediatrician in Kammanahalli, who recommended that they get some blood tests done. The tests revealed a drop in his platelet count, a symptom of dengue, after which he was admitted to Mallya hospital on Vittal Mallya Road for platelet transfusion. Rohan received one unit B+ platelets after which his condition improved, much to the relief…

A kitchen counter at a small, but popular South Indian restaurant in the city. It's so popular, the place draws more than a thousand people every day. The food is tasty, the rates are comfortable and it's open from six thirty in the morning, till a convenient hour in the evening. But what's that rag doing in the picture? That rag must have been bright yellow when it was bought. Now it's dirty brown in colour, because of one good reason - it's dirty. And you'd be pleased to know that it is used to wipe the plates dry after…

Comprehensive Trauma Consortium, is a voluntary non-profit organization established in March 2000, specializes in providing round-the-clock Free Ambulance Rescue service (Pre-hospital care) to accident victims in and around Bangalore City . We have conducted 70,000 rescues so far. The objective of this course is to create the importance of Pre-Hospital Care and equip the participant with first aid and CPR skills. This certified course is for one full day along with manual. The course fee is Rs.350/ per person. For registration please call @ 9880323829 and confirm before 30th May 2009.Venue Details : Date 30 /05/ 2009 (Saturday)Time 10.00 am…

I've been taking a closer look at "No Smoking" signs in town from a designer's perspective. Yes, there is a need to be loud and clear - at least till the message sinks in, and people don't look for an ashtray the moment they walk into a restaurant. Sign at Coffee Day near Lavelle Road And if they are going to be big and bold, can't they be a little more interesting? Some of the signs I've seen are so bold, that they come close to rapping you on the knuckles. So, if you run a business that requires you…

The Medico-Pastoral Association and Stage Left Productions present This is their story, a play directed by Vasudev Kanthraj and Nazeef Mohammed on 6th December 2008 at St Francis Xavier's School Auditorium, Promenade Road, Fraser Town, at 6.30 PM. This play is an original script written by the members of Stage Left Productions. It is written as a response to the growing problem of suicide and self-harm in today's world, especially since the statistics are alarming and very disturbing. Bengaluru has earned the dubious distinction of being the suicide capital of the country. This play thus essentially deals with different kinds…

In Cooke Town, you'll see an unusual way to get the message across, to random dumpers of garbage. Especially those who miss the bus on the morning collection, when carts go down the road to collect your bag of disposables. The location here is Ashoka Road - a nice peaceful road, where you'd like to go for your morning walk, without turning up your nose and holding your breath. As a "pilot project" the Residents Welfare Association of Cooke Town has cordoned off this spot, which was a major landing point for random dumpers. Once a spot starts off as…

With regard to the tree-felling and road-widening that is happening now.....we are against *indiscriminate* use of this facility, that's all. The point is, that cutting down trees is irreversible, so what we are saying is, involve the citizens in this decision-making process, and let us cut down trees ONLY when there is no other solution.The High Court of Karnataka has given a decision that the BBMP authorities must include the citizens' forum, Hasiru Usiru, in its deliberations and only take decisions on tree-felling and road-widening that complies with the Town and Rural Planning Act. Right now, this is not being…

In late July, the Red Ribbon Express rolled into Karnataka, and into Bangalore, with much fanfare. It was going to be the average citizen's eye-opener to the world of HIV and AIDS, and hopefully, the train was also going to raise some funds for the cause. I was at the Cantonment railway station at 7pm on 25 July. The journey of the Red Ribbon Express was inaugurated from New Delhi on 1st Dec 2007. The train's mission is to spread awareness of AIDS throughout the country. I had seen the train at Nagpur, on 21st December 2007, but I could…