Friday, April 8, 2016

World Health Day 2016 in Darla School: Step Up: Beat Diabetics





Beat Diabetes
Darla school celebrated World Health Day. The day was marked with many health and hygiene-related activities. In the morning, we had the day’s speech by the health club members, and there the music was played about a healthy song. In the afternoon, the health staff of Darla was requested to give a talk, and upon our request, three staff came and gave wide coverage of health and hygiene issues and care. Teachers and Students from classes VI to 10 gathered in the MPH for the talk. Two health teachers gave a basic health talk to the students of class pp to V in the assembly ground. They also cleaned toilets, water tank,s and water sources. The photos below tell the story of the whole thing.

Giving speech
This was the speech delivered on that day. “Today, 7th of April is World Health Day. It is celebrated every year on the founding day of the World Health Organization. Established in 1950 this event has a theme each year to draw attention to a current world health issue. On this day, we remind ourselves to take some extra steps to care for your health, spread the news of health and threats, and inform the important issues of global health.
This year, WHO is focusing the World Health Day, on beat diabetics.

Listening passionately
Diabetes is a serious, chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. In 2008, an estimated 347 million people in the world had diabetes and the prevalence is growing, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
In 2012, the disease was the direct cause of some 1.5 million deaths, with more than 80% of those occurring in low- and middle-income countries. WHO projects that diabetes will be the 7th leading cause of death by 2030.

There are 2 main forms of diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes typically make none of their own insulin and therefore require insulin injections to survive. People with type 2 diabetes, the form that comprises some 90% of cases, usually produces their own insulin, but not enough or they are unable to use it properly. People with type 2 diabetes are typically overweight and sedentary, 2 conditions that raise a person’s insulin needs.
Over time, high blood sugar can seriously compromise every major organ system in the body, causing heart attacks, strokes, nerve damage, kidney failure, blindness, impotence and infections that can lead to amputations. It was observed that 2.5% of the population (Male: 2.8%, Females: 2.1%) were known diabetics in Bhutan.
A large proportion of diabetes cases are preventable. Simple lifestyle measures have been shown to be effective in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes. Maintaining a normal body weight, engaging in regular physical activity, and eating a healthy diet can reduce the risk of diabetes.
The main goals of the World Health Day 2016 campaign will be to:
  • Increase awareness about the rise in diabetes, and its staggering burden and consequences, in particular in low-and middle-income countries;
  • Trigger a set of specific, effective, and affordable actions to tackle diabetes. These will include steps to prevent diabetes and diagnose, treat and care for people with diabetes; and
  • Launch the first Global report on diabetes, which will describe the burden and consequences of diabetes and advocate for stronger health systems to ensure improved surveillance, enhanced prevention, and more effective management of diabetes.”


Health talks by Darla BHU staff

And it begins

Wide coverage of topics

How to? and What to?

What is H1N1 and others...?

Demonstrating practically

MHM and care

Our health board with various messages

Students cleaned the water tank


Alcohol and Drinking in Bhutan

A group drinks to celebrate Rimdro together
Alcohol is one of the most used and a misused drugs known to man. It is a social issue. The habit of drinking had wrapped its arms around our society and is slowly strangling society. It has disastrous effects on health, career and one’s family life.

One reason why alcohol is misused is that it is accepted in society. People drink to be sociable. Many restaurants and shops offer alcohol on their menus. Alcohol is usually included in celebrations or family and social gatherings. For example, we cannot do away with alcohol items during Rimdros.

Drinking is picked up at an early age just for the sake of fun or fashion. It is usually shown by parents. Children copy their parents, elders and try the drinks secretly. By and by the casual drinkers become chain drinkers. It becomes a habit that dies hard. The drinker thinks that it has become necessary for him. He argues that drinking eases his tension and helps him concentrate his mind on problems of serious nature. His mistaken belief costs him money as well as health. Drinking, they say, causes cancer. It is injurious to health. But the hardened drinker listens to no advice or warning. He can give up this evil provided he builds up his willpower. He takes offense if you advise him.

One of the risks of alcohol abuse is health problems. The leading cause of death is cirrhosis of the liver.  Not only that alcohol also causes damage to the brain, heart, kidneys, and digestive system. Cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and stomach becomes a threat as well. The well known south Indian actor Kalabhavan Mani dies from alcohol recently. Mani was 45 years old, and he knew he has liver cirrhosis. Instead of making it his priority not to consume alcohol, he forces himself to drink. He was not a child to be forced to do something he does not want to do.

Lately, scientists have been saying that a little bit of alcohol with dinner is not only okay but it is also good for you. This is true in moderation.  They say that if you drink a small amount of alcohol it will help you sleep. Also if you drink a moderate amount every day it can help your health in the long run. A moderate amount is considered to be 1 drink for women daily and 2 drinks for men daily. This can help bring your HDL level up, which helps protect your heart against disease that causes heart attacks. Also a moderate amount of alcohol every day can lower your risk of developing diabetes by increasing your insulin sensitivity. It can also raise ‘good cholesterol’ levels.

If you take advantage of that and drink in excess there are effects on the health. It calms you down and slows down some organs in your body. Alcohol, therefore, has short-term effects on your body. If you are addicted to alcohol or drink a lot of alcohol for a long period of time you will shorten your life span by about 12 years, and get a lot of serious side effects. 

Alcoholism can definitely take a toll and causes them in their workplace, and even lose their career. The ‘hangovers’ sleep late and wake up late, and once they are in their workplace, they only hang back. The works are stalled as they malingered.

As a result of alcohol abuse, children and other family members are being mistreated. Alcoholics are causing spousal abuse, and in some cases, even death. There are many women in RENEW, who are badly beaten by their husbands. Families are being destroyed and children are living a life full of suffering. Alcohol totally consumes them; all their thoughts and actions are somehow associated with the drug. Personal relationships can be torn apart. The consequences of alcohol misuse are serious in many cases; it has an effect on self, towards their family and friends, and children maltreatment. Many rapes in Bhutan are related to alcoholism.

Alcohol is the most accessible in all places. Easy access to alcohol is a key reason why alcohol abuse and alcoholism are such a common problems in Bhutan. Alcohol abuse means drinking more alcohol than is socially, psychologically, or physically healthy. In Bhutan, alcoholism is associated with a kind of "manhood. We have passion for spurious liquor is in line with all those 3rd rate characters who are shown in the movies and roam in the street; who pride themselves at consuming such so-called liquor and going around. We admire our life, and enjoyed drinks. But it would be a foolish death to die from alcohol.

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Annual Darla Rimdro


A one-day Darla school Rimdro was conducted in Darla MPH on 17th March. The Rimdro, religiously named as Tshogkhor; wish-fulfilling and well being was organized by Darla School.

The one-day ritual was presided over by His Lam Naten of Chukha Dzongkhag.

During the ceremony, various rituals such as the lighting of butter lamps, Tshogkhor(Wish-fulfilling ritual), purification ritual, Tormas, and others were conducted.

Buddhists are nature-worshippers and believe in divinity, the soul, and the primordial energy form. Jingsey is one such rituals, which will appease harmful evils and placate death spirits and strengthen life. We perform rituals by offering nine grains like rice, millet, wheat, maize, mustard, etc, flowers, fruits and holy water to their deities.

The celebration was very simple, nature-friendly as meat and alcohol items were not served. Students and the public were served butter tea, sugar tea, biscuit, and pure vegetable meals on the day.

Hundreds of devotees from Darla and nearby vicinities offer prayers at the annual Rimdro.

The Rimdro was performed for the peace and well-being of the Darla family, the community, the King, the country and the people.

The Rimdro was a successful one, and it was due to the worthy efforts and cooperation rendered by all the individual teachers, principals, students and the community. It wouldn’t have been a lavish Rimdo if it was not goodwill support from the students’ parents. We have a practice of collecting nu.100/- from each student to conduct this rimdro. On the other hand, many parents and teachers credibly brought both cash and kind. Many parents contributed firewood, sacks of rice bags, oil bottles, vegetables, juices, dals, etc to name a few.

“Rituals such as this have multiple functions in the family and in the culture,” says one of the school Lopens. “It is an effective agent in promoting family health and well-being. Not only that, rituals facilitate the transmission of values and beliefs. Rituals provide support and containment for strong emotions. Facilitation of coordination between individuals, families and communities,” he added.

Rituals are important and useful ways of assisting individuals and families in dealing with transitions and losses, bringing about healing and transmitting values from generation to generation. The effective use of rituals is one avenue of strengthening families and creating an environment where personal well-being is enhanced.

Lunch was served to students and the public.

Songs and dances were also performed by students to refresh and entertain themselves.

The ritual is being held annually.

 Some photographs of the Rimdro:












Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Health in the School-Washing Water Tank by our Students

The tank must be cleaned to ensure that water stored in the tank does not become contaminated by dirt or traces of the substance the tank previously held. We cleaned and scrubbed all internal surfaces and we washed all internal surfaces to remove all traces of detergent. The photos below show our students cleaning the water tank on 5/3/2016.












Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Darla MSS celebrates the Birth Anniversary of The Fifth King on February 21st. we had various activities like dances, pillow fights and singing Zhabten and others as a part of dedication to His Majesty, the Fifth King on his 36th birth anniversary. We would like to say THANK YOU for everything you did, and is doing to US.


















Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Back to Schoool 2016

That’s it, the vacation is over!
 
Extensive Cardamon Plantation at my village
I have been away; back with lots of official and personal works and I didn’t have even time to open my blog page, and sorry to say about others. There were many things that kept me busy. Firstly, I went to my village for almost two weeks to work on my cardamom plantation. I was happy to see three or more new plants sprouting from a plant. Then I had class ten evaluations for fourteen days in Phuntsholing. And it was hectic, as every person had to correct almost a thousand papers. That really kept me tight and sleepy. After this, I went to Gelephu to stay for few days with my family.   

 
Then I had a school health coordinators workshop in Phuntsholing. For six days, we were oriented on some basic health services. And then, Losar abruptly emerged near the door, and we had ‘bang’ Losar in Gelephu.



Now that February is officially here, we have to face the ugly truth  — the winter has almost ended and it’s time to be in school! By now, I have come up with drunken dreams, terrified hopes to change, or new hopes and all those freshness over the break.

Just a few days ago, I have been constructing a website for my school, and it’s almost done. Here is the link: http://darlamssedu.blogspot.com/


Wish you all the best and back to school!!!