THE HINDU Editorial Vocabulary- September 15, 2016- Topic 2
The death of several people in Delhi
linked to an OUTBREAK of dengue, chikungunya
and malaria has once again exposed
the INADEQUACY of national public health programmes that aim to
eliminate vector-borne diseases. There was a sharp increase in the incidence of
chikungunya in the country in 2015 over the previous year, although official
data do not ATTRIBUTE any deaths to the infection. Dengue cases have also
steadily risen, from 75,808 in 2013 to 99,913 last year, with the death toll
rising from 193 to 220 during this period. The FOOTPRINT for malaria has grown, with over 1.1
million cases last year, although the number of people dying from the infection
has shown a recent decline, going by official statistics. It must, of course,
be BORNE in mind that
there is some evidence of under-reporting of malaria, leading to the criticism
that the full impact of the disease is not captured by government data. Delhi’s
residents are, of course, not alone in suffering from the failures of
long-running vector control programmes, although they are justified in feeling DISGUSTED at
the politicisation of the problem. The IRONY is that
India, with its focus on rapid economic growth and prosperity, is nowhere near
victory in the battle against productivity-sapping infections spread by
mosquitoes and other insects, while a nimble neighbour like Sri Lanka could
declare itself malaria-free.
There are several aspects to the Sri Lankan experience that could help evaluate the efforts of India’s States
in their battle to control disease-spreading vectors. Better results were
achieved by the island nation through integration of different approaches. This
includes focussing on mosquito control in irrigation and agriculture,
introducing new classes of insecticides for residual SPRAYING within houses, and scaling up distribution of insecticide-treated
bed nets even in areas caught up in conflict. Mobile centres for access to
diagnostics and treatment also helped halt disease transmission. For India to
achieve its goal of eliminating malaria by 2030, and CURB
other vector-borne diseases, there has to be sustained effort and political
will. The dengue map for 2015 shows that Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal
and Gujarat were the worst-affected. On chikungunya, Karnataka needs special
help, as it has a DISPROPORTIONATELY higher incidence compared to other States. Evidently,
it will take active surveillance and close collaboration with local governments
to eliminate the hotspots. Mobilising the community to participate in
sanitation campaigns holds the key, although families that live in DEPRIVED neighbourhoods will need GENEROUS municipal assistance,
improved civic facilities and access to free health care.
::::::::::::::::::::::Meanings with example
and Synonyms::::::::::::::::::::::
Outbreak: the sudden or violent start of something unwelcome, such as war, disease,
etc..
Example: The outbreak of World War II
Synonyms: eruption, upsurge, groundswell, outburst, rash, wave, spate, flood
Inadequacy: the state or quality of being inadequate; lack of the quantity or
quality required.
Example: The inadequacy of available resources
Synonyms: insufficiency, deficiency, deficit, scarcity, sparseness, dearth
Attribute: a quality or feature regarded as a characteristic or inherent part of
someone or something.
Example: Flexibility and mobility are the key attributes of our army
Synonyms: quality, characteristic, trait, feature, element, aspect
Footprint: the area covered by something, in particular.
Example: Its four storeys would cover the same footprint of the factory, but would
not be at a higher level.
Borne: carried or transported by.
Example: Waterborne bacteria
Disgusted: cause (someone) to feel revulsion or profound disapproval.
Example: I was disgusted with myself for causing so much misery
Synonyms: revolt, repel, repulse, sicken, nauseate
Irony: the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies
the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.
Example: “Don't go overboard with the gratitude,” he rejoined with heavy irony
Synonyms: sarcasm, causticity, cynicism, mockery, satire
Spraying: apply (liquid) to someone or something in the form of a shower of tiny
drops.
Example: The product can be sprayed onto wet or dry hair
Synonyms: sprinkle, shower, spatter, scatter, disperse
Curb: a check or restraint on something.
Example: Curbs on the powers of labor unions
Synonyms: restraint, restriction, check, brake, rein, control
Disproportionately: too large or too small in comparison with something else.
Example: People on lower incomes spend a disproportionate amount of their income on
fuel
Synonyms: out of proportion to, not appropriate to, inappropriate to
Deprived: suffering a severe and damaging lack of basic material and cultural
benefits.
Example: The charity cares for destitute and deprived children
Synonyms: disadvantaged, underprivileged, poverty-stricken, impoverished, poor
Generous: (of a person) showing a readiness to give more of something, as money or
time, than is strictly necessary or expected.
Example: She was generous with her money
Synonyms: liberal, lavish, magnanimous, munificent, giving, openhanded