A few days ago, I came back from the United States, where I attended the annual conference of the American Diabetes Association, in which about twenty thousand specialized doctors from all over the world have participated. The conference was held in New Orleans on the border with Mexico. The most interesting and surprising thing to us Egyptian doctors was that we have not heard or seen any warning of the swine flu, which has supposedly come and spread from this part of the world. Also, I have not seen one man wearing a mask, despite the daily presence of hundreds in the lecture halls, the restaurants and the malls that are crowded with people of different nationalities. We were surprised again on our way back before landing at Frankfurt Airport when a nice leaflet was given to all passengers, containing simple and real information about the disease, and asking them to promptly inform the crew in the event they felt they had its symptoms. It also explained these symptoms and how the disease is treated. When we arrived at the airport, we did not see any unusual concern or fear, although it is known that it is a very crowded international airport. However, when I arrived at Cairo airport, I was surprised to see so many personnel wearing white masks and measuring the temperatures of all incoming passengers (many of them took tablets that reduce temperature so as to avoid isolation in the Fever Hospital).
I could not help wondering that, either those other countries are underdevelopment and do not care for the health of their citizens and risk their lives, or we here in Egypt live in a clean and germ-free environment that makes us disinfect anyone coming so as to avoid the disease.
The fact is that we are shortsighted in most areas, not just health. If we considered the health situation in Egypt without embellishment, we will find that it is tragic, due to the following: First: The percentage of pollution in Egypt exceeded all limits accepted by the world, be it in air, water or food. Unfortunately, this is a fact that needs no proof.
Second: Despite Islam calling for personal hygiene and the need to preserve the environment, we have unfortunately become one of the dirtiest countries in the world, as we take Islam only superficially. One glance at our streets will show us the extent of our hygiene, which is supposed to be part of our faith.
Thirdly: There is a flagrant lack of health awareness among the majority of Egyptians. This is the direct responsibility of the family, the schools and the media. The important question now is: What is the solution? In my opinion, the broad outline of the solution is as follows: 1) To develop a clear and comprehensive plan that faces the chronic diseases that threaten the lives of the Egyptians and their future, explain it to the people and make sure all commit to it. 2) Give the Ministry of the Environment real and complete authority to develop clear and specific plans and deadlines for each province as to how to dispose of garbage. 3) Teach the basics of personal and environmental hygiene in school for the future generations to have it as part of their culture. 4) Disseminate health awareness and sound health culture in the media, and under the direct supervision of the Medical Association and the Health Ministry, so that mass communication is not turned into a mere means of advertising, like what is happening now. The situation is very serious. And I warn of repeated health problems, one after the other, because unfortunately, the soil is vulnerable. It is imperative that we start right away, not tomorrow.
