"Health Safety During War"

*Greetings Amiable and learned readers, I hope you are having fun and enjoying life to its very best, It is another opportunity to dive into what matters in life. Though, you may have never experienced war before, I believe that you might have heard about it or possibly seen it on movies.

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War is something no one wishes to experience. Because, it does not not only destroy cities and nations, but has the tendency of invading the human bodies, minds and community at large. The scarcity recorded on the aspect of clean water, food, good medicine, or even a place to rest are what is experienced during war. As such, health becomes a major problem to handle during this time. Many who would have survived the war end of dying of poor health and not of bullets.

Knowing how to manipulate one's way out of this menace is what everyone should look forward to because, there's is always great hope whenever knowledge meets preparedness. Based on this, this works intends to cover the health dangers during war, how individuals can protect themselves, the role of health workers during this time, and why awareness campaign is crucial during this period.

The human body is conditioned in a way so as to respond either negatively or positively to changes in the environment. In terms of war, the health system collapsed and the common health threats that befall on individuals may include though not limited to the following;

Waterborne disease: Due to contaminated water supply as a result of death body in the stream, Ocean and the fear of powering the engine to get clean water, people end up drinking dirty and unsafe water thus, exposing themselves to diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery which are all waterborne diseases.

Malnutrition and Starvation: During war, the targeted places are always places of utmost importance such as the market. Situations where the market is destroyed and agricultural activities disrupted creates a stage of life decorated by malnutrition and Starvation especially among children. Of course this stage may likely leads to diseases of malnutrition.

Infectious Disease: skin diseases as a result of poor bath and bathing of dirty water is one of the characteristics of war. Also, crowded refugee camps becomes a breeding space for Airborne diseases, measles and chickenpox due to poor ventilation and overcrowding.

Wound Infections and injuries: Due to the unavailability of proper treatment, little wounds that would have healed in days metamorphose into what no one can comprehend and injuries may likely be sustained during the process of finding shelter.

Poor sanitation and hygiene: Who want to run away with their brush, comb and cream during this time? The loitering of the environment, and untidiness of oneself are another aspect I would not want to skip.

Mental Health trauma and Death: anxiety, depression, and PTSD affects both children and adults alike during this period of time. This is as a result of withstanding a love one being pull down by bullets or seeing dead bodies scattered helplessly on the streets.

I believe that after this section, family members who finds shelter at the expense of their members would have a change of plans having come to the realization that in the face of danger, small actions can actually make magnificent difference. Below are suggested ways on how people can stay as healthy as possible during such times;

Boil or Treat water before usage: due to the inability of clean water during this period, it is essential for individuals and family members to boil water or possibly use water purification tablets before using such water with this, the rate of acquiring waterborne disease would reduce.

Protect food and eat Wisely: Food should be covered properly and cooked thoroughly. One should not joke over this aspect lest food poison kills him or her before gun shot. In addition, eating in small quantities so as to sustain oneself is far better than eating for immediate satisfaction with no hope for the future.

Maintaining Cleanliness: Though clean water is always scarce during this period, using clean clothes soaked in treated or boiled water to wipe the body is a very good way of ensuring cleanliness. In addition to this, proper disposal of refuge should be taken as a priority.

Avoid danger zone: having a good knowledge of the facts that war mostly affects government owned establishments such as schools, barracks, airports etc should give someone a direction on how and where to find shelter and prevent injuries.

Stay mentally resilient: this is where the family really comes in. Finding moments of calm through prayers and staying around family bonding are all essential tools during such time.

Though I have not experienced war personally, I have read on books and seen on television how cold it could be. Also, during the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria, a friend's aunt fled from Borno state with three children and a junior sister. Information reveals that they walked for days, barefooted seeking for shelter in the bushes.

Finally, they arrived at a camp sick, hungry, thirsty and tired. Without any food or hope of surviving. At this month came a Savior "madam nurse" as they called her. She gave the children rehydration salts and comforted the mother. That nurse working not for salary became a source of survival to them. This reminds us that healthcare isn't only about medicine, it's about being human even when the world isn't.

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This is where the real you is always manifested. Health workers are the soldiers of peace and their responsibilities include though not limited to the following;

First aid administering: First aid which is the first treatment given to a victim before proper treatment is been is one of the numerous functions of health workers during wars. They treat war wounds, and infections in their field hospital.

Disease Prevention: diseases can be prevented through the use of vaccines and distributing clean kits and hand wash to victims.

Emotional Support: knowing too well that counselling and psychological first aid are indispensable remedy for people leaving with trauma and grief, health workers go around counseling and encouraging people in need.

Maternal and child health: on this regards, it is the place of health workers to attend to midwife and in the process save the baby as well. God is good

They say that awareness can prevent a whole lots of mistakes. At this point, permit me to thank @afzalqamar for gathering us to discuss on this important aspect of life. The importance of health awareness in wartime is crucial in the following ways;

Education: In regards to Educating people, people learn how to purify water, treat sickness such as diarrhea and reduce infections.

Empowering Community: most communities discover their hidden potentials using basic knowledge. Here local communities care for one another when foreign aids delay. Some go extra miles in creating good improvised materials they never thought they would.

It saves lives: during this period, knowing how to dress a wound, cover your food and move away from danger zone could be the major difference between life and death.

It builds resilience: It prepares and equip communities and individuals to act wisely and quickly in times of emergency. In essence, if families act wisely, health workers stay committed, and awareness spreads, definitely hope will survive.

Special invites @alexanderpeace, @etoro @spektro and @m-fdo
Let me end my saying that war is never kind, but even in the darkest moments, there is always a bright light sponsored by God