WITH the advent of winter, infections have increased in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The worst affected are children who are suffering from flu, cough, pneumonia … and other chest problems. …Most illnesses spread because of the dry weather and cold winds…. Another reason behind the severity of the illnesses is the polluted environment, contaminated drinking water, smoke-emitting vehicles, garbage dumps in residential localities and clogged drains. Similarly, the consumption of unhygienic food items and poverty are also creating health problems for the low-income group which is unable to pay the huge fee of doctors at private clinics.

…People should keep in mind that many of the problems can be solved through cleanliness. Not only has modern science stressed the need for keeping our environs clean, our religion Islam too teaches people to maintain hygiene. …No doubt the government has established different departments for public welfare and they are doing their job to some extent but the public also has a responsibility to fulfil. …In rural localities which the sanitation staff cannot reach … it is the duty of communities to initiate joint ventures at the level of mosques, hujras and community centres to get the support of state agencies for vaccinating children and animals too. — (Nov 20)

Selected and translated by Ali Hazrat Bacha.