The New Nation - Internet Edition

It is about certain information contained in the blood pressure related article that was published under "Have A Nice Day" of Star health (a section of The Daily Star) on 21st day of June 2008. The article discussed, among other things, the need for cutting down on salt and intake of potassium. As regards the salt intake, there exists inter alia a correlation between high blood pressure and salt according to contemporary knowledge, understanding and application in relevant areas.

The article indicated inter alia: a decrease in salt intake could lower the pressure; and Potassium could also help lower it (I mean, the pressure). It is fine. But it will not be out of place to mention here an excessive amount of Potassium in the human system can be fatal under certain circumstances, per se.

Interesting though, the article by using the sub headline "Cut down on salt and intake of Potassium" attempted prima-facie to encourage the readers and others to reduce, among other things, Potassium intake as a measure against high blood pressure. But certain information provided subsequently to the readers and others under the same sub headline acknowledged the role of Potassium as a pressure reducer - and that is evidently true at least as at today, 22nd day of June 2008.

If the readers and others - to whom it might concern - consider seriously the message of sub headline as a health advice to follow that, then they might elect to cut down immediately on their daily requirement for Potassium which they obtain perhaps via certain fruits, for example. On the other hand, when they will come across information associated with the role of Potassium as a pressure reducer in the same article, they might suffer from, among other things, confusions about what to do and how to deal with Potassium. In a medical sense, Potassium at an appropriate level has - besides, the blood pressure lowering (I mean, help lowering) function - a number of other functions to do in human systems including inter alia and as appropriate those relating to the cardiovascular system.

Factors such as confusions of above nature among the people, the lack of interest, willingness and effort on their part (I mean, the people's part) to clear those confusions and to know the truth; and the paucity of opportunities for them to access the right information at the right time and cost for above and related purposes could do more harm than good in for example, the domain of health care system.

In the media (print, electronic and others) - every information counts - relative to time, space and other variables, though. It is, therefore, incumbent upon the media and concerned others to assist the people in the effort towards getting themselves free from say, all types of confusion. The last word: it is expected inter alia The Daily Star will not only strive for "People's Right to know" but for People's right to know the right thing at the right time and cost - through the foreseeable future.

Dr. M. S. Haq