I think, it is only 6 months back - an expert (in what she does) told me " If anything start with passion, that has a serious potential to grow !!" Since then, I am trying to understand what does it mean for me? Especially, my passion is to contribute in whatever capacity in the field of public health. So all those words still ring my head "...has potential to grow" and I have begun to see some glimpse of success for this blog if I seriously write and write for 10 years.
Again to begin from basic - let us start by repeating the key words: PUBLIC HEALTH. Well, you may say, this field is very broad and ask me " Where in this sea of unresolved suffering and challenges, which exist primarily because of poor governance or social / economical or political misfortunes brought on to people, is going to be addressed through this public health?" and somebody even dared to say just few days - "You are in the wrong fields !!" Well, to answer these serious questions are too tough and I do not have a convincing answer at the moment. What I can tell to myself and well wishers that it is my passion that is driving me in this field. This is one thing certain and rest is history in making. As a glimpse of hope and understanding - now I believe strongly more than ever that this is one area, where we try to deal with any challenges in a holistic approach. This approach believes in "root cause" analysis as it is said in Sanskrit Sloka that " कारणम: कारण", which means "there are reasons for every reason". Therefore, it suggests that we try to solve the root cause of any problem rather than just its symptoms or after we are with the problem(s). It also means, it is fine not to know all the answers, however, in not knowing we can explore for the answer in a systemic way applying the principles of problem solving.
For me, this mantra " कारणम: कारण" has been like a guiding star to move forward and a reason to dream and dare even to ask funny questions. Now, I believe strongly that is a good practice to write down whenever you come across any interesting questions and this can be archive for your future reference. This is the only reason why I have started to blog in my spare time. Here I try to try to organize and note down whatever thoughts or observations or questions related with public health issues come across my work. Also, I have to spell out here, it is tough to be regular and consistent in what you try do - somewhere Aristotle said, " Excellence is a habit". Now, I realize this is one simple truth, which we fail to recognize at earliest. So, I have to say that I tried to blog all the way from early 2009 but the momentum to note down your thoughts / ideas into real writing took shape only in early 2014. Now, I am serious on writing but still,I am facing challenges when it comes to writing effectively and meaningfully.
Apart from my personal gibberish partly emotions sometime - I am so far happy that I started to blog. My focus in the posts so far published (in this blog) relates to infectious diseases that are rampant in Nepal. I think, I am only qualified to write or share some words or opinion of those infectious diseases which I have seen, experienced in its treatment and think are serious public health problem in Nepal. Say from examples scabies, other skin infections, worm infestation to diarrheal illnesses like cholera. That is why there is a saying in Nepali " दुखी को पिडा दुखिले बुझ्न सक्छ !!" which means the realms of suffering that people living with poverty have to deal with, can only be understood by those who have lived through the same situation. But when it comes to academics or public health delivery, I have to be strictly qualified enough to express my public health competencies that allow me use science along with social, emotional and communication skills.
From now onward, this blog will continue focusing its theme of writing in infectious diseases of public health importance still causing suffering among rural communities like cholera, enteric fever and viral hepatitis.
