The sanctions cause diseases of children
Dr Miodrag Sreckovic, President of the Section of Pediatrics
of the Serbian Medical Society
Increase of the cavernous and milliary tuberculousis. More
frequent salmonellosis in children and pregnant women. Free
health protection of the youngest.
Shortage of the materials for laboratory analyses, X -Ray
films, lack of servicing of diagnostic equipment , increase
of serious forms of of tuberculousis, the appearance of
salmonellosis, drugs with expired validity dates are one of
the burning problems which the medical staff comes across
from day to day, in the conditions of the embargo imposed.
Something that is the most difficult consequence of such a
situation in the health care is, no doubt, the increase of
some diseases in childhood.
The President of the Section of Pediatries of the Serbian
Medical Society, doctor Miodrag Sreckovic , Director of the
Institute For Pulmonal Diseases of the Clinical Hospital
Centre "Dedinje" speaks about it.
- Before embargo, we had all kinds of drugs and food says Dr.
Sreckovic. Along with the sanctions, the problems appeared.
We did not have enough X -Ray film, chemical reagences for
many laboratory analyses. Biochemists tried to solve the
problems by themselves and invented the agents for blood
analyse. The import of spare parts is disastrous. The embargo
prevented servicing of numberous instruments, so they were
left unused and waited for better times, says Dr. Sreckovic.-
In the most difficult period, we were supplied with drugs
mainly owing to the hiumanitarian organizations and people
who helped their mother country. We took care that the drugs
come at the right time and to the right place, doctors and
nurses were in charge of the classification of drugs. Drugs
writing off was a big problem because there were drugs with
expired validity date and therefore, it was necessary to test
the drug usability.
Answering the question, to what extent the shortage of drugs
influenced the appearance of relapses, particularly of the
respiratory organs, Dr. Sreckovic said: - Before, we had
possibilities of faster making diagnosis of virus infections.
We could, for instance, immediately get the results of
analyses (nasal secretion within one hour) and thus, to find
out the cause of disease. Now, it is not possible. First, we
have to take a sample of material, after a fortnight we take
the other and only then we make diagnosis on the basis of
antibody titres. Another possibility is the following of
epidemiological development of disease and on the grounds of
it, the appropriate measures of treatment are taken.
MORE FREQUENT CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
Dr. Sreckovic explains about the most frequent diseases of
pre-school and school age children. Respiratory diseases take
the very top of rating, even 80 per cent and owing to the
lack of the adequate health protection, for instance,
hygienic substances and health illiteracy, frequent
infections of sallmonelosis appeared. High percentage of
children suffer from it as well as pregnant women. I have to
mention, Dr. Sreckovic says, that tuberculouses is in slight
increase but also serious forms of cavernous and milliary
tuberculouses appeared. This, rooted out diseas as it was
believed for long, appeared last and this year particularly.
I would especially point out the specific shortage of meat
and milk last year. This food was literally an abstract noun
at homes, hospitals and other medical care institutions. Of
course, the immunity of children, blood picture was so
greately deranged that as a consequence were over crowded -
in the summer months particularly - when the facilities were
expected to be empty.
Dr. Sreckovc speaks about the discontinued free supply of
some drugs including those for malignant diseases: -
Concerning the health protection of children - it is free,
with no participation charged, in fact, children enjoy all
the rights. Recently, the list of necessary drugs was issued
by the Republican Institute For Health Protection (February
20,1995). The list includes all health fields.
What is the status of sick children in the general medical
treatment and later, in the centres for rehabilitation? Dr.
Sreckovic points out that the children are sent to the
extended hospitalization in some of the appropriate centres.
CHILDREN ENJOY ALL THE RIGHTS
Climat factor, stay in fresh air, as it is known, have
favourable effect on the health of the sick. Special Board
makes decision following the recommendation of the physician
in hospital where the child stays as an in -patient. Children
have right to aid items for the disabled, especially to
inhalators. The proposal for certain aid items should be
signed by three physicians.
Dr. Sreckovic observes, in respect of information
andexperience exchange: The exchange of information was
absolutely discontinued which, was not the practice before
(magazines, brochures...). We compensated it in another
manner. We held the meetings of sections, reported on what
was happening at the congresses abroad and informed the
collegues on the innovations in health practice. At the
Congress of Pediatritians in Nis, it was stated which were
the consequences of the embargo on the health condition of
children. On that occassion, also the guests from the whole
world were informed on the health situation in our country.
Due to the embargo, the mortality rate both of chidren and
adults have increased. This year as well, more than 500 works
will be presented in Nis, from aa various subject fields -
hereditary diseases, malignant, endocrine, nutritive and
allergic diseases.
Svetlana Braunovic
Ljiljana ZZegarac