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Somaliland: Health ‘Time Bomb’ Looming as Bug Haunts City

September 29, 2012 · 354960 Comments2012-09-29+21%3A14%3A35goth+Mohamed

People are sitting on a health hazard time bomb that is ready to explode at any time in a big way yet nobody responsible seems to be caring.
Whether it is due to social stigma with phobia or fear of being ashamed or whether it is due to carefree attitudes of all concerned, the THT need not discern.
What we can rightly say however that there is an abnormally high rate attitude of irresponsibility bordering fool-hardiness on the part of all stake holders.
A small tiny vector that breeds in the dozens hence runs amok in the thousands across the city without being checked has not been seen as the deadly thing it is.
It is no secret that for the first time in the memory of most, even the sacred Holy Mosques have not been left unscathed.
Known to be the number one transmitter of a highly infections and internationally notifiable disease that the cimex species popularly known as the bedbugs, which are hematophagous (blood feeders) is the main culprit in the quarantine-demanding Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) disease hence can further transmit 44 other potentially harmful pathogens.
These blood-sucking insects have made barracks in hundreds of brigades at shops, mosques, hotels, offices, homes, kitchens, beds etc.
Mr. Keyse Hassan told this writer, “I have tried my best to get rid of this parasites, but for the insecticides I use, I am forced to stop selling foodstuffs for a while”.
Keyse is a shopkeeper who runs a stall in Ahmed Dagah.
A senior international NGO official Mr. Abdillahi S. M. Hassan quipped, “Oh, you never knew?”, and continued “several mosques across town have replaced their mats!”
A Mr. Said swore, “I saw them in abundance bunking and burrowing on and in apertures of imported readymade imported furniture”.
What goes without question is the untold suffering of hundreds, if not thousands, of children suffer silently as they suppress there painful anguish amidst painful gasps and whilst being repeatedly bitten night in night out.
It was surprising that NON of all the people we interviewed or asked to comment on the epidemic had the slightest knowledge of the bug causing acute and chronic liver diseases or even dysfunctions.
The ironical fact is that simple commercial insecticides concocted with pyrethrum chemical compounds could easily rogue the bugs out to vanquish.
Incase of stubborn cases, acaricides diluted with a competent person is an absolute answer.
All in all, at the THT we have been left with no option other than wondering loudly why the Ministry of Health, Hargiesa Municipal Council, Imams and other clergy, the local media or all other responsible people from all walks of social or political lives have chosen to help the bugs sneak through apertures and causing untold havoc by facing away from the real issue!
Read further details on the bugs in this issue.
Time and again we have talked, told, wrote or expressed passionately about the need to be diligent in and on duty, be true to the country, and above all, live up to and maintain the expected standards, upright and righteous image reflecting the real SL we want.
From the highest executive echelons of officialdom to the lowest subordinate level, etiquette requires that we adhere to the expected code of conduct.
What is gong on is not something that may appeal to the eyes. The trend of confrontational behaviour or unbecoming conduct at work should stop forth-with for it is indeed hurting the country.
We do not want to see protocols breached such that any demeaning or denting image of our institutions should never arise.
To hear of a whole cabinet Minister being treated unhonourably at a road block or at or in an institution, especially while in the company of his colleague whose portfolio squarely oversees the road block or the intuitions, has to it, more than meets the eye.
It was as disgusting as it was sad that the unfortunate and shameful incident at the airport had to even occur at all.
Hon. Hirsi did not deserve to be subjected at such, at all, given his esteem office and especially in the company of his colleague Hon. Adami.
This was against all rules of protocol given our country is struggling with its aspirations and also given all our past experiences and customary traditions.
We believe that the matter should be delved into for all it appeared to be is sinister.
As we absorb Hon. Adani’s assurance, we call upon responsibility and uprightness to be depicted at all public working places.
The government should take stern measures hence make sure that whoever or whatever dents the country’s image or good faith of the government shouldn’t go scot free.
On the other hand, who is to be held responsible for leaving the blood-sucking bugs to run amok without being put in check?
Who is to be held accountable for letting the children suffer in vain?
Who is to be reproached on not informing the members of the public on the realities of the harm that bedbugs can inflict?
We think a major health check be made to everybody in juxtaposition to conducting a similarly major campaign to eradicate the bugs.
It is shameful and quite horrible to let an epidemic occur whereas we have all the necessary means to control it.
Come to think of it there are fears that imported furniture has been a major means of conveying belt that has compounded on the factor.
Who have ever checked them?
If we can openly talk of FGM, HIV/AIDs or other STDs, what makes us mum about bed-bugs?
People should be made aware of what HBV is and quite fast and swiftly at that, for they will never take chances again in the future.