SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2024
Health ATMs can reduce burden on govt hospitals
A state-of-art ‘Health ATM’ has reportedly been installed at the Mayem Primary Health Center. It is learnt that the Health ATM, which is a kiosk for managing health-related information, will perform health checks on 46 parameters and has been installed under CSR initiative.
This ATM offers a facility to send reports to patients via WhatsApp and will be a great benefit to people in rural areas to take care of their health. Such ATMs offer comprehensive screening and have sensors that measure height, weight, body temperature, blood glucose, blood pressure, invasive and non-invasive blood tests, heart check-ups, oxygen saturation levels, body mass index, density of fluid in the body, fat content and muscular content, as well as rapid test option and instant test report for epidemic diseases like dengue, malaria, HIV and Typhoid, all blood test and lipid profile, various urine and pregnancy test and ECG. Some machines also have a provision through which one can communicate with a doctor through a web camera.
Government hospitals are witnessing a heavy rush of patients who can’t afford the hefty charges levied by private hospitals. Patients have to wait in long queues for free health check-ups at primary health centers and government hospitals. The heavy rush of patients has increased the burden on doctors as they also engage in national programs like the eradication of malaria, dengue and chikungunya. The Goa government needs to install health ATMs at all primary health centers and government hospitals across the state under CSR initiative.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Hike in power tariff just not justified
During the last few days, the news regarding the hike in power tariff is doing the rounds. The common man cannot afford to pay the bills which show hike in units as it is beyond his means.
Mostly the domestic consumers feel the pinch. In the know how, the electricity department has to recover more than 400 crores and instead of recovering the outstanding dues, the common man is targeted. It is given to understand that if the meter boxes which are installed inside the shops and houses are compelled to shift outside the shops and houses lest notice of disconnection is served to the owners.
Those whose arrears are pending should be dealt with the same yardstick. Goans denounce the proposed hike. In other states or countries, if power tariff or food items show spike, the protesters take to streets blocking the streets, railway tracks till their demands are met.
Goa is a peaceful state, and the Goans have not taken such measures.
It is expected, in view of what has transpired above, the JERT and the Government will roll back the proposed power tariff in the interest of the common man.
Aureo Cunha Gomes,
Mapusa
Legal framework on refugees needed
The inception of World Refugee Day, which is observed on June 20 every year, is to pay tribute to the undaunted spirit of millions of refugees worldwide. For India, with its long history of providing refuge to diverse groups of displaced people such as the Tibetans, Afghans, Rohingyas and the Sri Lankan Tamils, the observance of the day provides the opportunity to reflect upon its humanitarian commitments and showcase the vibrant cultural contributions made by these communities to the Indian society. But, sadly India is not a party to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, and the consequences of staying outside the convention has resulted in a significant deterioration of refugee protection standards. The Centre must therefore quickly enact a legal framework on refugees, which will allow the country to gain international legitimacy, and which will provide asylum based on humanitarian and legal principles, and not on political preference. Simultaneously, this will help India to redeem its reputation as a tolerant and secular state. Furthermore, refugee flows can create friction between neighbouring countries, as the Rohingya refugee movements from India had irked Bangladesh.
A domestic framework shaped by international principles would reduce such tension and instead create space for dialogue and responsibility-sharing in the region on collectively addressing the refugee crisis. This, in turn, will help cement India’s regional leadership role in South Asia.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Jasprit Bumrah is Man for all seasons
30-year-old Jasprit Bumrah is often referred to as the “best fast bowler” in the world. Spectators simply love his yorkers that can deceive the best of batsmen. The self--effacing right arm bowler started off as a limited over specialist to blossom into a man for all seasons for the Indian team. Australian legend Dennis Lillee compared the Indian to his compatriot, the peerless Jeff Thomson.
Now, former West Indian great Curtly Ambrose has said he was a “huge fan” of the Indian, not an ordinary encomium coming from one of the very best bowlers to have graced the West Indies cricket. Ambrose is surprised at Bumrah’s unconventional bowling style but the open chest action of Bumrah has paid the latter rich dividends although it makes him more injury prone.
Batsmen all over seem clueless in fathoming Bumrah’s ball release and angle of delivery. With a firm grip on the ball, and the mastery in making the ball spring up after hitting the deck, the Gujarat pacer does not give away much. Amazing control and ability to do an encore separate him from the tearaway fast bowlers. Due to his accuracy, he is the captain’s man Friday in crunch situations as evidenced by his stunning performance in the T20 world cup that is underway at the Caribbean.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
ED should raid houses of NTA governing body
That the enormity of irregularities found out in the conduct of various tests for the students including NEET UG/ PG is unimaginably colossal, it would not have happened without the connivance of the entire governing body of the National Testing Agency (NTA), particularly its Director General, Subodh Kumar Singh who has been just removed and placed in compulsory wait in the Department of Personnel and Training. It is alleged that money has played a vital role in this scam, reminding one of the most ill-famous Vyapam scandal, that happened in the BJP- ruled Madhya Pradesh headed by Shivraj Singh Chauhan, who is now a Cabinet Minister at the Centre. That Vyapam, the Himalayan scandal, remains hushed up till date, is also a case in point.
Under the circumstances, ED which has been hunting the opposition leaders day and night should also raid the houses and other business abodes of all the members of the governing body of NTA and other suspects particularly that of Subodh Kumar Singh for any money trail and expose those involved in this scandal, at least in the interest of the students who have lost their faith in the NTA and also the BJP government at the Centre.
Tharcius S. Fernando, Chennai
