With the onset of summer season, the country is now witnessing a rising number of people dying of water-borne diseases. At least seven persons have reportedly died of viral fever and diarrhoea in Mahadesthan VDC in Dhading district recently. Of late, diarrhoea is said to have affected especially the Tamang community in Dhading who take wild berries and nuts, which can easily cause the illness. Some 26 Tamangs succumbed to viral fever in the first week of March alone. Diarrhoea, typhoid, jaundice and encephalitis are some major summer epidemics caused due to consumption of impure water and unhygienic living conditions. Year after year, the government is confronted with the same challenge of safeguarding the people from falling prey to the deadly viruses. But, clearly, efforts are inadequate in terms of medical facilities so essential to protect the susceptible sections of the population.

Nevertheless, the Department of Health Services could come to the rescue of the victims without much ado. A team of medical personnel with essential supplies should be dispatched to the far-flung areas at the earliest. But as a long-term remedy, the Ministry of Health and Population should encourage people to resort to preventive measures. This is important in both the rural areas, where villagers are still ignorant of the actual causes of the diseases, and urban parts, where population is increasing in arithmetical proportions. More importantly, there is no alternative to taking concrete steps to effectually address the problems arising out of water and sanitation conditions. If only a significant progress is made in reducing the number of people denied access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation, a lot will have been done to let the people lead healthier lives.