A day of shame for us
India marked its Independence Day by mourning the deaths of almost 60 innocent children (“Sixty deaths over five days at Indian hospital without oxygen”, Gulf News, August 13). They died because the hospital oxygen supply was cut off. This highlights the negligence of the government. It is shameful that in some ways we are still backward. Even then, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had the audacity to blame encephalopathy, a disease that damages your brain, for the death of those children, not the scarcity of basic resources at the hospital. Children continued to die, despite providing oxygen tanks, which highlights a bigger flaw in the whole way medical facilities are provided in the country. Apparently only 2.5 per cent of the Indian gross domestic product (GDP) goes to public healthcare. How is the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi going to justify the deaths of these children who could have been the future of India? I think we should all put our heads down in shame that we are citizens of a country where such atrocities happen every day.
From Ms Meekha Anna Suresh
UAE
Action needed
It was sad to read about the deaths of those 60 children in India. The reason is unacceptable. The government should investigate this and find out the real cause, whether it was due to an oxygen shortage or the lack of cooperation from the doctors. The guilty should not be spared. Safety for the patients and proper medical facilities including emergency items, like liquid oxygen, should be made available, always. Hope Uttar Pradesh, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, should take up this issue.
From Mr K. Ragavan
Bengaluru, India
Medical negligence
Despite having some of the best doctors and state of the art medical facilities, after 70 years of independence if 60 children are dead due to medical negligence, then we should hang our heads in shame. This is just not acceptable!
From Ms Pooja Sharma
UAE
Don’t be a troll
In the 21st century, people are constantly updating the world about their daily lives with photographs, selfies, videos and livestreams on social media platforms. When we go online, we can ‘like’ and comment on these posts. However, at times, we don’t realise the difference between sharing an opinion and being a troll, that is an online user who purposely and actively provokes, defames, angers, teases or instigates other online users. Trolling has driven people as young as seven to depression, anxiety and eating disorders, as stated by UK-based National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). The number of children and young people tormented by online trolls has increased by 88 per cent in five years and will keep increasing if we don’t take prompt action against them. Let’s share our opinions in a way that does not insult others. Instead of spreading hate and mistrust, let’s use technology to bring about positive change and awareness, to empower each other and spread kindness. Think before you type!
From Ms Madiha Ahmad
Sharjah
Active body and mind
It is interesting and inspiring to know that 82-year-old Masako Wakamiya became Japan’s oldest app developer (“Never too old to code”, Gulf News August 9, 2017). After her retirement, she was fascinated with computers and not only learnt how to code, but developed an app called ‘Hinadan’, for senior citizens. At present, more than a quarter of the population in Japan is above 65 years, and the government is trying to engage them into productive activities in different sectors. An ageing population is one of Japan’s biggest challenges. A healthy and active mind leads to a healthy body. Wakamiya says she has no time to look for diseases. Let’s follow her motto and keep our minds active and bodies fit.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
Good decision
I believe it is necessary to carry your birth certificate, just to be sure that you were born in the Philippines, as simple as that (“Bring birth certificate if your passport says this, Filipino’s told”, Gulf News, August 13). This step was taken to be sure of our correct identity. It is a primary document that will be needed in processing your passport, and it ensures that no one can use your identity.
From Ms Shantal Siorrab
Philippines
Facebook comment
Why do we need this?
It doesn’t make any sense if you are just going to renew your passport. My details and birth certificate already has been uploaded into the government’s system. So, why is there still a need for it?
From Mr Pau Camarines
Dubai
Facebook comment
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