The article in the 7 August edition of Post concerning cuts in aid to 'Chernobyl Victims' prompts me to comment on some health concepts in general and about so called 'consequences of Chernobyl' in particular.
It is now believed by many in preventive medicine circles in the world that millions of lives can be saved annually and the quality of life of other millions enhanced by the application of nutritional preventive measures.
Studies have shown in underdeveloped countries that supplementation of diet with Vitamins A, C and with Zinc can improve greatly the now recognized condition of 'nutritional immune deficiency'. In addition, supplementation of diet with iron and iodine, where the diet is deficient in those trace minerals, can prevent medical problems which drain funds from the health care systems of States.
So much attention is focused on the 'high tech' aspects of medicine that Ministers of Health and bureaucrats often fail to consider simple, and relatively cheap, preventive measures, which could save lives and help to stem the drain on health care systems resources trying to treat conditions which are preventable in the first place.
I suggest that much of the supposed feeling of un-wellbeing in the population of Ukraine and other countries of the FSU is due to the nutritionally impaired ability of the immune system to respond in a vigorous manner.
After the Chernobyl disaster, the affected countries, and organizations and governments outside of those countries who were interested in sending so called 'medical relief' supplies and equipment, have not been interested in simple and cost effective measures, since major pieces of medical equipment have a much more 'visible' aspect for bureaucrats and governments.
In addition, countries of the former Soviet Union such as Ukraine have been unable to come to grips with the fact that the health care system before Chernobyl was at a level of quality and per-capita expenditure below many developing countries – and still is in that condition. As an example, Ukraine and Belarus both have mild iodine deficiency in some areas which may lead to the development of thyroid hyperplasia – and is subsequently of concern for both individuals and the medical system.
Although iodized salt is available in Ukraine and Belarus, it is not universally used. A simple system of adding iodine to all bread baked in central bakeries would make adequate iodine available to everyone.
I believe that much of the feeling of un-wellbeing blamed on immune system effects of low level radiation has its roots in the marginal or deficient intake of certain key nutrients.
Unfortunately, I do not expect the government and medical system in Ukraine to take any preventive public health measures in a massive way. In the first place, the medical system will scoff at such simple and cost effective measures as massive dietary supplementation and secondly, politicians will want to continue the Chernobyl mystique as long as it brings in financial and other contributions from abroad.
All of this is unfortunate for the millions of Ukrainians who may have inadequate intake of Vitamins A and C, and Zinc and other dietary trace essentials and who must then turn to a creaking medical system to offer them some treatment for their illnesses.
Finally, the emphasis must now be put on prevention of illness in all of the CIS countries and citizens must now undergo a psychological turnaround in thinking about their health in preventive terms.
The government must do its part in public health improvement and in making available education and materials to prevent much of the illness among the population.
The entire medical system and medical thinking must be retooled to focus on basic health care and preventive maneuvers.
The writer has been long involved in the health-care system in Canada and has been a frequent visitor to Ukraine.
