SKIMS advisory: Don’t take unwashed vegetables, fruits

The Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) here Thursday issued an advisory asking people to take fruits and vegetables only after properly washing them to avoid diseases. 
The advisory has been issued by head of the Emergency Medicine department, Prof Showkat Ali Mufti. 
“The vegetables and fruits are sprinkled with pesticides which can lead to serious health issues. A patient with MRD no. 801755 admitted (to SKIMS) on June 15 is in coma and shock after having consumed one-kg unwashed cherries. Examination and investigations revealed that she had developed Organ Phosphorous poisoning. It was revealed that pesticide was sprayed on cherries few days back,” the advisory reads.
Dr Mufti said the patient was saved by a team of doctors at the Emergency Medicine department. “We request people to take only washed fruits and vegetables and in appropriate quantities to stay safe,” he said. 
Noted gastroenterologist and Director SKIMS, DrShowketZargar, reiterated that maintenance of hygiene and cleanliness is essential for health. 
“A number of infectious diseases can be prevented by simple measures like hand-washing and proper washing of fruits and vegetables, particularly to prevent spread of various forms of gastroenteritis. Many infectious diseases are spread due to contaminated hands and food, particularly gastrointestinal infections,” he said.  
The general public is appealed to wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly before consuming them, Zargar added.