Disease-carrying
snails raise health fears
Changes
in riverine ecology blamed
Ploenpote
Atthakor
Bangkok
Post 11, 2000
Doctors
have raised serious concerns over the possible occurrence of
schistosomiasis, a water-borne disease, among residents along the Moon
river following the discovery of a large population of snails.
The
deadly disease is caused by a parasite borne by snails and is normally
found in some parts of Laos. It had never been reported in Thailand
before, until the construction of the controversial Pak Moon dam changed
the riverine ecological system.
Dr
Nirand Phitakwatchara, senator-elect and a physician in Ubon Ratchathani,
said local health officials have reported a growth in the population of
snails in the Moon river. He called for close monitoring of the disease.
"It
is unfortunate that no medical research has ever been conducted to confirm
the disease's occurrence. Politics around the dam issue has caused delays
in such study," Dr Nirand said in a seminar on "Dam-made
Diseases" organised by the Thai Journalists Association.
The
doctor noted that some villagers had complained of symptoms which could be
linked to this disease and it was necessary that the Public Health
Ministry take steps to investigate the matter as the villagers had become
afraid.
Wanida
Tantiwitthayapitak, an adviser of the Assembly of the Poor, said villagers
have described symptoms including distended stomach and jaundice.
The
water-borne disease was one of the major concerns raised by the Pak Moon
protesters in their protracted fight against the dam, but failed to get
the attention of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand which
operates the dam.
Stagnant
water has also led to deteriorating water quality. "There has been a
spread of skin diseases like rashes and itches among villagers who bathed
in the river," Ms Wanida said.
Another
health problem was malnutrition, as the dam has blocked the migration of
fish, whose population has dwindled, both in quantity and quality. "A
villager spent three days in the river and got three small fish from this
once-rich river," Ms Wanida said.
She
pointed out that the Pak Moon dam has had an adverse impact on the
physical and mental health of local villagers, even before the dam
construction was completed.
She
said the villagers have suffered from stress in the absence of life
security as they could no longer depend on this river for a living and the
dam has jeopardised their self-sufficiency.
"Before
the dam was built, life had been relatively secure and there were few
crimes in the villages. Only one case was reported in 1991," Ms
Wanida said.
"But
after the dam was completed, crimical cases soared. Last year, there were
more than 500 cases, 80% of which was related to drugs as the devastated
villagers were turning to it in desperation." More importantly, Aids
is also on the rise as many villagers have to look for jobs in the city,
she said. Some experts have called for legal requirement for social and
health, in addition to an environmental impact assessment study by
devleopment projects.
Dr
Choochai Supawongse of the Department of Health said it was apparent that
all state mega-projects had a detrimental impact on local people's health
and health monitoring was necessary at every stage of a project.
Health
impact assessment studies and health monitoring should be scientifically
carried out, not only among the villagers who continue to stay on in the
area, but also for those who have to migrate in search of jobs, he said.
Calling
large dam projects "cultural suicide", respected anthropologist
Srisak Wallibhotama blamed them for causing the collapse of families and
communities and destroying people's way of life. Villagers affected by
Bhumibol and Sirindhorn dams could not adapt to their new settlements, he
said.
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