News.Scotland.Org

October, 31

The major threat which was haunting Scotland’s people for many years claiming majority of deaths by its spell seems to be fading slowly. The biggest killer disease in Scotland, the so called heart diseases has reduced to a level. All credits to the scientific research and advanced medical treatment which showed some ray of hope for Scottish heart patients to fight this evil. The figures also pointed out that the death rate from heart disease among under-75 has dropped by 8.4 percent in recent year. This positive trend shows how people have become more cautious about their health and are switching towards a healthy lifestyle. These stats have brought some relief for the health ministry and Scottish people who were feeling helpless by the whopping deaths by heart diseases.

The experts suggest that the target set by the ministry aimed for 60 percent fall in the deaths by heart diseases by 2010. To meet this target its necessary that this downward trend of heart borne deaths continue to fall in near future. On the other hand many health agencies have felt happy for this success. It was noticed that the bad eating habits and less concern over health was one of the main reason for this cause. But the tendency of Scottish people is changing towards a better and healthier tomorrow.

With technological advancement and daily innovations on the field of medicine, researchers are finding out every single possibility to curb this evil. Even the advanced treatments for patient and ban on smoking in public places have helped a lot for the decline in heart borne death rates. One of the spokeswoman for charity Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland said: “It is excellent news that fewer Scots are being diagnosed with and dying from heart disease and strokes. “Much of the fall in admissions to hospital can be attributed to community-based preventative medicine and the ban on smoking in public places which came into effect last year.

This decline in death rate will also help to rub the tile of ‘the sick man of Europe’ given to Scotland. Another sad fact shows how Scotland has a poor strength to tackle heart diseases in comparison with rest of the UK. The stats revealed by British Heart Foundation (BHF) shows how the death cases from heart ailments were reported in 70 percent higher among Scottish men, compared to those in the south east of England.

However the rapid development in the eating and lifestyle culture of Scottish people is a good sign for cutting off more death rates from heart diseases. Now the acid test for the health experts and doctors along with the health ministry would be to achieve the goal they have set till 2010. Hope this rich country becomes rich in its health sector too.

Scotland, Oct 31: The Council’s plans to shut down schools across Edinburgh are being drawn up by city chiefs. Owing to the SNP rebellion the council’s controversial decision to hack 22 schools and nurseries was abandoned with in two months of its declaration.

The new list, which will be announced next month, is considered to be shorter one and will be based on the same criteria that include popular schools in Edinburgh. Parents of the students are well organised to express their opposition against the closure. The protests include pupil strike, rally and demonstrations outside city chamber.

The Edinburgh’s education leader, Councillor Marilyne MacLaren requested people to stay calm. After the initial plans were scrapped she had ordered officials to chalk out a new proposal.

MacLaren said “One thing that head teachers and unions are saying to us is that decisions have to be made. It’s really very cruel for some of these schools to continue to have this axe hanging over their heads. A cross-party group, which will include teacher and church representatives, will also be set up. ”

This will be launched by the Director of Education, Gillian Tee on November 19 and he will announce the condition for listing the school that should close.

While commenting on this Councillor MacLaren said: “The director will bring forward new proposals on November 19, and I would expect the criteria she suggests for closing schools to be similar to before, but we will be working towards a shorter list.”

The Lismore parents Action Group has twice campaigned successfully to keep the schools out of closing threat. The Chairwomen of the action group, Gail Ross said: “I expect Lismore to be on the list again. If it is, the parents will be up for a fight again, without a shadow of a doubt, and it will be just as ferocious as before.”

The poor children and families lost £9 million of their saving over three years as the consultation collapsed. Next course of agitation will be based on the new proposal put forth on November 19. The future of pupils and the schools will be decided on that crucial decision.