Thursday, February 23, 2012

MUMS ID

MUMS ID

Four weeks ago baby Isaiah was abandoned by his mother at the Lautoka Hospital (FT 26/7 page 5).

There is no mention of who the mother is or where she went.

Does the hospital have any policy on documenting details of the patient:
1. Name of patient.
2. Current residential address.
3. Contact of at least two family members (contacts should be verified).

If they do not have this in the system maybe it should be considered to ensure that innocent lives like that of Baby Isaiah's is not neglected.
 
[This article was not published but is my opinion]

MORAL PRINCIPLES.

When i was a kid i reminisce running around playing with friends, doing homework in front of the television and relishing the support of my family in becoming a successful person.
Today -  i read about rape cases in the newspaper almost everyday. 
It is shocking to read that in most cases the perpetrator was someone the individual knew. 
Additionally shocking is the young age of the victims. These girls are being deprived of education, childhood, a bright future and their innocence.
Have relationships altered in meaning now?
Have we no respect for our children?
Where are our moral principles?
A simple plea from one citizen to the others – can we recall our moral principles and threat our children (and other community members) with respect and dignity.

ALZIMA BANO

[Published in the Fiji Times in July 2011]
 

FT: Quality reporting.

Quality reporting 

Kaila targets the young minds, when addressing such impressionable minds we ought to be more diligent in giving them information that would foster positive characteristic whilst being researched and correct, literally.
I fail to understand why Kaila reporter, Kerela Serelini, was allowed to publish an article with such poor writing standards. 
Her first sentence has a repeated ‘a’ (when is a, a boy). In paragraph 4 “Society is aware of such this but are not capable”.
The writer goes on to say that girls are ‘tomboy’ if they cut their hair short and display tough ‘guy’ behavior. Ms. Serelini should go out and observe the female athletes. 
They display ‘tough’ behavior. Are they ALL than gay?
It is appalling that the writer used a very demeaning tone while addressing a sensitive issue.
The writer dominated the topic with her own opinion. Responsible reporting requires an unbiased, researched approach of both sides of the argument which she clearly did not do. 
Also the (only) reference made to Ms. Serelini’s article was that of an American publication, we are not Americans and do not live in an American society, therefore their research do not relate to us 100%. 

ALZIMA BANO

[Published in the Fiji Times in June 2011]

FT: Life's a lesson | 21/02/12

Life is a lesson.

I was listening to some old songs yesterday and thought I should share a line I heard from one of my favorite songs.
Take a look around by Limp Bizkit.
"Life is a lesson. You will learn it when you're through".
So most likely, this God debate will end when our lives end.

Alzima Elisha Bano
 
[Published in Fiji Times on: Tuesday 21st Feb 2012]

FT: Textbook prices | 16/02/12 Thursday

Textbook prices

As some of anticipate the beginning of another study year at university others are worried over rising textbook prices.
Why is that textbooks have skyrocketed over the past few years?
Why is it that textbook editions keep changing annually or per two years?
Not everyone can afford university qualification.
And while some struggle to pay the high tuition fees, the book fees can give them a heart attack.
A friend of mine is on scholarship. The book allowance he receives is only half of what his books cost.
What are these students supposed to do?
Go without a textbook for the semester?
Previously it was convenient for some students to go with second-hand textbooks but if editions keep changing every year this is not the best option.
Education is about building capacity and building nations.
Education is about building a bright future.
How are we planning to build this bright future when the education of some young, innovative and bright minds are being compromised!
Maybe book manufacturers, distributions and publishers might want to consider the costs involved for students and also lets save our trees too.

ALZIMA ELISHA
BANO

[Published in Fiji Times on Thursday 16th feb 2012 and can be read here ]