A PRISONER Valgdimir Makaro (tag number 103596) called the Khaleej Times Hotline complaining that the prison doctor does not take care of him and refuses to see him. He said that this had forced him to take a syringe from another prisoner and inject himself to become HIV-positive so that the doctor will see him.

“I tried to commit suicide twice,” he said, adding that he was given treatment at Rashid Hospital but the prison doctor still doesn't want to see him.

Reply BRIGADIER Mohammed Humaid Al Suwaidi, Director of Dubai Punitive and Corrective Establishments, told Khaleej Times that the Russian prisoner was an HIV patient and was given medical treatment at the prison although it was very expensive.

“The prisoner is suffering from pysycholgical problems and was given medicine under the supervision of doctors. He was given only small quantities because he tried to distribute his medicine among other prisoners and also tried to spread the disease among the inmates,” said Brig. Al Suwaidi.

He observed that the Punitive and Corrective Establishment Department is giving attention to all the prisoners to ensure their safety and well-being. The UAE is spending huge amounts on the medical care for patients and providing them with all their needs.

Carrefour refused to exchange item

ANAM SALIM told the Khaleej Times Hotline that he bought something from Carrefour and wanted to exchange it but had lost the receipt.

“When I contacted the Carrefour, they told me to come and promised to exchange the item. But when I went to Bur Dubai Carrefour and selected another item, they refused to exchange it and treated me in a rude manner,” he said, observing that the problem is not only the replacement of the item but the bad attitude.

Reply THE customer service official Maritath at Carrefour clarified that if any customer buys an item and would like to exchange it, he should bring the receipt with him.

“It is a policy followed by Carrefour and other hypermarkets,” Maritath said. “In Carrefour's Shindaga branch, as in other branches, all sold items could be replaced or exchanged if the customer brings the bill,” she said, confirming that all Carrefour staff are trained to deal with the customers politely.

Replying to another complaint from a different customer about the differences in prices of the same items at different Carrefour outlets, Maritath said that these slight differences could be explained as the branches have different managers and are dealing with different suppliers.

“The concerned officials in Carrefour had tried their best to bring about uniformity in the prices, but the issue depends on the suppliers,” she said.

Pest control products, service ineffective

OVER THE last few days and ever since the Khaleej Times Hotline was launched, we have been receiving complaints on a daily basis about the pest control companies and the ineffectiveness of the products they use.

The complaints corner today highlights this issue from the point of view of residents, officials and pest control companies.

Several people also say that pest control companies are making a quick buck, but offering poor quality of products and services. ''I have had a recurring problem with household pests despite the fact that I have had pest control in my house three times a year," complained Fareed Shaikh.

“Each time I have changed the pest control company thinking that the one before might not have done a good job. But cockroaches reappear in my house after four months of the spray," he explained, adding that he was aware of the effects the pesticide spray might have on the health of his family.

“After the pesticide control is done in my house, we are asked to stay away for at least 12 hours because toxic fumes might affect our health. But then, why does the spray not affect the real problem which is the pests?” Shaikh asked.

Mrs Batia, another reader, said that a company had promised a one-year guarantee for the pest control and she willingly paid them to fumigate her house but it was of no use and the company is not taking the responsibility to fulfil its promise. Many other similar complaints of the same nature were also reported on the Khaleej Times Hotline.

Reply THE widespread practice among expatriates of choosing pest control providers on the basis of cheaper rates is prompting companies to use unauthorised, sub-standard chemicals, which are not only ineffective but also a health hazard, Khaleej Times has learnt.

This cost-conscious approach to an essential part of creating good living conditions and maintaining public health has also given rise to unauthorised pest control operators and the illegal and dangerous phenomenon of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) pest control.

According to many pest control operators, competition in the market has become fierce owing to these developments and many authorised operators are left with no option but to offer competitive rates at the cost of quality. As a result self-styled pesticides are being created from a concoction of chemicals, which are less effective against pests and generally hazardous to humans.

The development has also spoiled the image of many pest control operators as their six-month guaranteed results turn out to be hollow claims. Today, it is not uncommon for many pest control operators to have customers calling them with complaints barely a fortnight after a control procedure has been carried out at their apartments. With the pressure from dissatisfied customers mounting, operators dilly-dally and stall to gain time, or ignore the complaints totally leaving the complainants fuming.

"In cases of poor quality pest control and the DIY phenomenon, the onus is on the consumers," an official at the pest control section of Dubai Municipality said. On its part, the municipality has created a system which requires pest control companies to apply and qualify before they are approved, he said.

“Since public health is an issue that is very important for us, personnel who carry out pest control for private companies are required to pass a test before they are allowed to work. It is up to the members of the public to ensure they do not employ the services of an unauthorised operator or worse still, carry out pest control on their own,” he said, adding that the residents should, in the interest of public health and safety, inform the civic body of unauthorised operators.

While presenting an overview of the problems caused, general physician Mohammed Khan said: "Use of poor material and pesticide exposure can cause many different health effects. Among the acute problems that could be caused by use of low quality pesticides as well as exposure to it are: dermatitis and asthma to chronic problems such as obstructive pulmonary disease and even cancer in certain cases."

The Manager of Blue Star Pest Control Company, Hooman Shenasi said: “We have customers saying that pest controls done by different companies were not effective. This is basically because these companies are not using pesticides that have been approved by the Ministry of Health and Dubai Municipality.”

“Most companies are using handmade material that includes wheat, boric acid and gel (for cockroaches particularly). While this pesticide might control pests temporarily, it has a negative effect on human health,” he explained.

He also said that the rates charged by pesticide companies (Dh70-100) were not enough to cover the expenses of quality pesticides. ''An effective spray should cost from Dh120 for a two bedroom house. And if factors such as personal hygiene and general cleanliness are taken into consideration, pests do not reappear for over a year,'' Shenasi added.

He also said that the presence of bed bugs was a major concern in Dubai, especially in Karama, Hor Al Anz, Naif, and Satwa areas because of the number of bachelors sharing cramped accommodations in these areas.