COVID-19: Children’s Physical and Mental Health

While very few cases of COVID-19 have been reported in children around the world, the virus doesn’t discriminate the ages.

During the social distancing and isolation at home, children health – physical and mental, is affected greatly. Protecting children’s health is vital for parents and carers at homes and centres.

Dr. Ambia Perveen, Rohingya paediatrician, and child and adolescent psychiatrist from Rohingya Medics Organisation, explores the aspects of children’s physical and mental health

Dr. A.H. Kamal (also known as Kamal Hussein), a veteran Rohingya doctor with the vast experience of practising medicine in Myanmar, Malaysia and Australia, explores the outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus and advises preventive measures that are essential for the Rohingya community can take in order to combat the pandemic. 

He is an esteemed member of Rohingya Medics Organisation. He is a very respected Rohingya who has tirelessly contributed the community in humanitarian grounds, particularly in healthcare over many decades.

Dr. A.H. Kamal (aka Kamal Hussein), the senior doctor at Rohingya Medics Organisation elaborates immunity and explores various types of vaccinations essential for prevention many forms of illnesses.

The monsoon season is only two months away for over a million Rohingya living inside Myanmar and taking shelters in refugee camps in Bangladesh. 

The season brings various water-borne diseases that challenge the community. Preventive measures are essential in order to avoid acquiring diseases such as Dysentery, Cholera, Typhoid, Hepatitis-A. 

Consuming clean water is the first step to prevent water-borne diseases. Treatment of water either with Chlorine tablets or boiling, can effectively reduce transmission of the diseases. 

Hand-washing that we currently practise for the Covid-19 Pandemic can also be applied when handling food or using the toilet.  

It is critical that food should be properly covered to prevent flies or insects transmitting the diseases. Handling of food with disinfected utensils should be practised.  

Floods in the monsoon season can spread faecal-borne diseases among the community. It is vital that proper hygiene measures should be taken for open-toilets and ponds.

Dr. Anita Schug from Rohingya Medics Organisation talks about Diabetes Mellitus and its complication, in particular, the Diabetic Food Ulcer.

 In Collaboration with Vision TV.

With over a billion Muslims worldwide mark the beginning of Ramadan (the Month of Fasting) this week, there are many among them who have pre-existing diabetes which needs to be controlled and monitored properly.

Due to the lack of information or monitoring, many Rohingya fail to control diabetes.

Dr. Sarwar Kamal explains in his native Rohingya language the importance of the control of diabetes during Ramadan when there are fluctuations of blood glucose level while fasting and breaking the fast. 

It is important that people with diabetes take extra-precautions in controlling diabetes during the fasting month.

A Ramadan is a holiest month for Muslims and in this month every healthy adult Muslim is obligated to fast.

At the same time, Almighty Allah requested to take care of our health and we must not act in a way that harms our body.  Rohingya people love this month and try their best to fast in every condition by practising other pillars of Islam. 

Fasting during Ramadan with diabetes requires discipline, preparation and willingness to break the fast when it’s necessary. 

The greatest risks for diabetic patients are Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), Diabetic Ketoacidosis, dehydration, thrombosis and stroke. 

All Diabetic patients , whether on insulin or tablets with an HbA1C more than 9-10%, with less hypoglycemic awareness, Renal disease, macrovascular complications and pregnancy are recommenced not to fast if possible

Dr. Mohammed Younus from Rohingya Medics Organisation explains the importance of maintaining a balanced diet during Ramadan.

A good diet is essential for the body when many Rohingya observe fasting from dawn to dust abstaining from eating and drinking during the period of fasting.

A balanced diet that consists of a sufficient variety of food and drinks rich in minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, fats and minerals, is vital for good health.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a commonly ignored infection that can be preventable and has adverse effects on day to day activities.

UTI occurs 1 in 5 among girls which is more common among pregnancies.

Patient with UTI often symptoms such as pain or burning sensation, frequent need to urination and lower abdominal pain.

It is important to recognise the infection and seek proper medical advice in treating the infection.

Collaboration: RVision TV

TUBERCULOSIS | Podcast by Dr. Anita Schug

As we mark World Tuberculosis Day today, the number of Rohingya suffering from TB remains staggeringly high in Bangladesh refugee camps and inside Myanmar.

Tuberculosis, a chronic communicable disease, remains highly concerned for Rohingya refugees due to "the lack of resources, technical capacity gaps in implementation (eg. contact tracing) and non-completion of the 6-9 months directly observed therapy (DOTS) when offering TB management for the refugee populations" in refugee camps, Bangladesh.