Brace for heatwaves
India is bracing for blistering heatwaves and is among the countries expected to be worst affected by the impacts of the climate crisis according to the UN’s climate change authority. It’s fair to think that almost every heatwave that we see right now has some influence from global warming.
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The high temperatures can be a death sentence for many of the country’s poorest people. This hot weather is also likely to put pressure on the electricity grid as people use various appliances, to keep cool.
People should stay hydrated, drink lots of water, avoid direct sunlight especially between 11 am and 3 pm. Those who are working under direct sunlight must take regular breaks so that they can prevent exhaustion and cramps which may lead to heat stroke.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Cyber attacks on the rise
Cyber attacks occur in almost every industry and in every sector. However, healthcare organizations face the brunt, largely due to the fact that the information they produce and manage is a particularly alluring target for attackers.
In recent years, ransomware attacks on healthcare facility networks have become more common and severe and have been causing medical device outages.
Despite great efforts, law enforcement and governments have been unable to stop the escalating wave of attacks on hospital devices. Cyber attacks that target the healthcare industry come in many forms and they can have particularly grave consequences given the volume and sensitivity of healthcare data.
The fact that healthcare organizations constitute particularly lucrative targets for hackers only exacerbates the cyber security challenges that this industry faces.
To protect against these threats, it is crucial for healthcare organizations to invest in processes and tools that can protect all their assets, including not just traditional IT resources like servers, but also connected devices. Establishing a plan to mitigate the risk of healthcare cyber attacks and responding effectively when they occur are critical aspects for any organization that operates in the healthcare sector.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Soaring prices hit common man
Until a few years ago, the prices of commodities and products were increased only once a year in February at the time of presentation of the budget. Today, we see that the prices are increased frequently and the total increase in a year is substantial.
Take the case of cooking gas, petrol and diesel for example. The prices of these products are increased time and again. Further, not only are additional items brought under the net of the GST but also items which are in the lower rate group are moved to the group which attracts higher rate of GST.
The prices of almost all medicines have been further increased recently. The state government has also increased the power tariff and infrastructure tax from the month of April.
The price of fish, the staple food of Goans, has become prohibitive.
The frequent and substantial increase in prices has hit the common man hard. The authorities seem to be unwilling to do anything about it since they are not affected. Employees of the government and the establishments in the organized sector are compensated partially by variable dearness allowance but the vast majority of others have to face the situation on their own. The plight of unemployed people is unimaginable.
Government cannot remain cool and calm when people face a serious problem like this one. It must act. It must introduce austerity measures and stop wasteful and avoidable expenditure. The common man cannot be expected to bear the brunt of the rising prices and high inflation indefinitely.
Rodney de Souza, Assagao
Medical in no more a nobel profession
This has reference to the report ‘Strict action against private hospitals for referring last stage patients to GMC and Right to health bill for patient’s welfare….’ (O Heraldo, April 10, 2023).
That is some good news, the government is taking notice of the health of the people. There is no doubt, medical has become purely a commercial enterprise. According to the news report, the state government has warned to suspend the licenses of all those private hospitals which refer patients to the Government Medical College after treating and fleecing them. Fleecing patients – that’s the general perception in Mumbai as well. The hospitals prescribe a huge list of medicines on a daily basis even when the patient is lying immobile on the bed and showing no signs of improvement. Medical was a noble profession at one time, sadly, it seems like, not anymore.
In the meanwhile Rajasthan has become the first state in India to pass the Right to Health Bill (RTH), which mandates free and quality healthcare to patients irrespective of their ability to pay. That sounds interesting however, the modalities and the entire process would need to be given proper thought. But, the underlying message seems clear, people are entitled to proper healthcare facilities, it’s human life at stake after all, whether it is the common man or a VIP!
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Rest in peace Menino bab!
Goa’s first international football player, Menino Figueiredo, started his career at the age of 17 with Margao Cricket Club. He was selected for Goa in 1959 to play against a visiting Portugal team named Benfica football club.
He was also selected in the Goa XI squad to tour Portugal but Goa got Liberation in 1961 and that tour got cancelled. After that, Menino Figueiredo played for Salgaocar Sports Club for 13 years. In 1962, Menino and the entire Salgaocar Sports club football team participated in the DCM football tournament in Delhi, where the entire Salgaocar team was felicitated by the then Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru at his residence in Delhi.
In 1963, when Russia football team were on a goodwill tour, Menino was the only Goan to represent the country. Before that, Mumbai players of Goan origin have represented the country.
They were Neville D’Souza in 1953 who used to play football as well as hockey for the country, Joe D’Souza in 1954, Fortunato Franco in 1960, and Derick D’Souza, brother of Neville D’Souza also in 1960. Menino was the first captain of the first Goa Santosh Trophy team. The achievements of Menino will remain in football history of Goa. Goans extend our condolences to his family. His contribution to the Goan as well as Indian football will always be remembered and cherished for generations to come.
A very good footballer with perfect physique and a great sense. Menino used to play as a defender and sometimes even as a midfielder. May Almighty Lord grant his soul eternal peace in heaven.
Natividade Fernandes, Cavelossim
