Ambulances -life saving or life threatening?

Just when you thought that the local speed demons had got over with their reign on the roads... (yes, the auto-rickshaws), the next one is on its way up to take its place. As all of us are aware, the medical tourism industry is beginning to pick up, (hopefully, it should be the next trend setter). We read about in the newspapers that people from various countries visit this place for undergoing medical treatment, which the visitors feel, are comparable to international standards and still leave them with a handsome balance in their purse. What more assurance does one need?

Well, I am going off-course, right?? Don’t you worry. I’ll recover. (It’s my habit, and I still try hard to keep to the mainstream. LOL). Okay.

Nowadays, I find that the ambulances operated by the numerous private hospitals (and which boast of/and provide excellent specialized medical treatment) go at breakneck speed. Yes, I do agree that it is because of the genuine concern on behalf of the critically injured persons being taken to the hospital. When there is less traffic on the roads or highways, such speed is understandable. But, when the traffic is almost snarling in the countless narrow roads, with the ambulance rushing up towards the non-existent gap in the traffic, its sirens and horns blaring, you just have a second thought whether you would reach home safely; or would be transported to some trauma ward in another such vehicle. Many a time, the fellow commuters present on these roads are gracious enough to make way for such speeding ambulances.

Of course, I have come across instructions printed over the rear door of the vans to the effect that in case you did see the vehicle being driven rashly to reach the contact numbers given below that notice. Unfortunately, such kind of instructions with contact phone numbers are seen only on travel cabs (more like 16 seaters or 18 seaters). And no, I am not against the life-saving ambulances, just that I wish that they do not become the reason for taking away or crippling the life of another.

The reason for this post is because I am alive now without being narrowly being run over by an ambulance, around a corner, coming towards the fly-over while I was on my way down.

Obesity - The war between the waistline and lifeline

There was an issue about the dangerously bulging waistlines of those serving in the department of police in the state of Tamilnadu. It had been suggested that such policemen could be asked to undergo vigorous workouts. To what extent?? Surely all the fat or cholesterol wasn’t collected in a single day. Right? On any given day, if all the policemen are made to stand erect in a single file, it would indeed be a sore sight to observe that an alarmingly large percentage of them will be sporting a big paunch (some of them, I am quite sure, will not be able to see their own toes!). The bitter fact is that even a sizeable number of the female constables too are beginning to start competing with their male counterparts in the department.

The surprise is that not only the adults are suffering from obesity. The percentage of young people, especially teens who are obese has more than doubled. The problem does not end there: this further results in hypertension, stroke, heart attacks, diabetes, and in some cases cancers. It is often said that waistline is directly linked to one’s lifeline. No wonder that obesity is one of the major causes of health concern the world over!

So it is safe if one keeps in mind that he or she is at a higher risk if they have a bigger waistline. And it is high time that all the offices, government and others make it a point to include physical exercise as a daily routine in their daily activities to lead a healthy life. Atleast, it will pave the way for a healthy younger generation, which is currently addicted to television or PC games.