'Heavy meat consumption causes illnesses'

PESHAWAR: As people perform the traditional sacrifice as part of Eidul Azha, health officials in the province have urged the public to take care and adopt precautionary measures, warning that heavy consumption of meat could cause severe illnesses such as gastroenteritis and diarrhoea.

According to a statement issued by the Medical Teaching Institute (MTH) of Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH), every year a large number of cases of gastroenteritis and diarrhea are reported at different hospitals across the province on Eidul Azha, with a majority of the cases reported on the first day of Eid with patients rushed to the accident and emergency departments.

“Most hospitals in K-P reported an increase in the number of patients suffering from diarrhea, gastritis, vomiting, epigastric discomfort and water brash during Eidul Adha in the past,” read a statement issued by the KTH, adding that apart from these complains, heavy consumption of meat has a reactive effect on the cholesterol levels in the body and could induce cardiac issues, ultimately leading to thickened arteries and aggravation of atherosclerosis in heart patients.

According to the statement, there were enhanced chances of different infections spreading, specifically Congo Fever, for which the provincial health department had already shared an alert with the concerned officials.

The KTH administration stressed upon adopting measures for preventing Congo Fever.

“Women and those handling meat should wear gloves to avoid the transmission of ticks and the meat should be thoroughly washed and properly cooked before eating,” the KTH administration advised, adding that people should avoid making gravy or adding extra spices and oil to meat which could irritate the digestive tract.

“It is recommended to have soups, steamed vegetables and salads to counter-act acidic effects of meat,” the statement read adding, “if someone wanted to store meat, dry it in accordance with the proper protocols and methods. Salt may be applied and it should be properly covered to avoid fly contact.”

According to the KTH Media Manager Syeda Alia Azhar stated that at the hospital, special duties have been assigned to doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, drivers and other employees of the institution. They have been directed to be present in their respective wards.

“We have assigned special duties [to staff] with specialized doctors on call so that any emergency could be dealt with immediately,” Azhar told The Express Tribune.

For awareness and welfare of the general public, Azhar stated, it was their job to inform the public about the risks involved in the heavy consumption of meat adding children should be the focus of the parents besides those suffering from high blood pressure, cholesterol and heart problem should take good care.

Kohat, Peshawar sanitation

To keep the environment clean, the Water and Sanitation Services Company (WSSC) Kohat is launching a cleanliness drive during Eidul Azha.

A statement issued by WSSC-Kohat stated that the cleanliness campaign had been launched by provincial assembly member Ziaullah Bangash and WSSC Board Member Saleem Altaf.

WSSC Operations Manager Naeem Ahmad dilated that their cleanliness strategy for Eid includes cancelling holidays of WSSC staffers, adding that more than 300 staff members will be participating in the special campaign.

WSSC Chief Executive Officer Arif Rauf urged the public to use garbage drums to dispose of the waste, adding that animal remains should not be dumped in public places, roads and streams.

He added that the campaign will last three days.

On the other hand, the Water and Sanitation Services (WSS) Peshawar will deploy over 2,800 staffers and around 400 vehicles to shift remains of sacrificial animals from urban areas.

WSSP urged the public to remain in contact with their staffers so that remains can be shifted to the identified locations.

CAA urges people not to dump animal remains

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has requested the general public not to dump animal remains around the Bacha Khan International Airport (BKIA) after 10 cases of birds striking passenger plans were reported to the authority within past five days.

International airlines have already lodged complaints with the CAA about the bird strikes.

CAA officials stated that this was not the first time the authority had urged the general public to keep the area around the airport clean.

However, they lamented that even the district administration appeared to be disinterested in maintaining despite the fact that bird strikes endanger lives.

“No, this is not only birds hitting passenger planes but it could lead to serious accidents and let me share with you, international airlines have also lodged complaints and this should be taken seriously,” a senior CAA official told The Express Tribune.

The official, who requested anonymity since he was not entitled to speak to media, stated that CAA officials have displayed banners inscribed with requests to the general public not to dump animal remains, but the people ignore it.

The official stated that local residents have purchased sacrificial animals and their waste can already be seen lying around the airport walls which has become an issue for the authority.

“We have been requesting and requesting and requesting but no one seems to be interested in our appeals,” the CAA official said.

“When your district administration does not take it seriously, what do you expect from the people who, seriously, are unaware of the gravity of the issue,” the official informed, adding that while crackers were not allowed within the premises of the airport, it was their last resort to disperse birds attracted by animal remains.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 22^nd, 2018.