4
This second edition of the Basic Malaria
Microscopy package is a stand-alone product,
providing all that is needed to conduct a
complete training course. It still contains the
beautiful and accurate water-colour
illustrations prepared for the first edition of the
manual by the late Yap Loy Fong. Experience
has shown that colour drawings are best in
training new recruits to recognize parasite
stages and species, because single plane
Vacancies
Post and duty station Grade
Temporary International Professional P.05
(Primary Health Care) Department of
Family and Community Health,
(FCH)/SEARO
A thought for the day
In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not
worth the humble reasoning of a single individual.
-Galileo Galileo, physicist and astronomer (1564-1642 – Anonymous
pictures help students to extrapolate from
what they see under the microscope, focused
at a number of focal planes, to a complete
view of the parasite. Later, they can move
from drawings and use microphotographs,
which will have an additional, positive impact.
Thus, the training course is further
strengthened if copies of the WHO Bench
Aids for Malaria Microscopy are also made
available to trainees.
Vacancy Notice No. Closing date
Vol. XLVI, No. 3
SEARO/10/ROST1 23 March 2010
Spring Carnival 2010
The Staff Association will be organizing the
annual Spring Carnival in the premises of the
World Health House on Saturday, 13 February
2010.
As a run-up to the Carnival, sports and
music tournaments/competitions for staff
members in carrom, chess, and quiz are being
conducted from 22 December 2009.
Raffle tickets are also being sold for the
event.
A good manager
A person who acts as boss is supposed to be a
problem-solver and a settler of differences.
Nothing makes people respect you more than
showing your willingness to deal with
dissatisfactions as fairly and squarely as
possible. A tendency to avoid this
responsibility leads people to suspect you are
“chicken.” In case there is any doubt in your
mind, that is not good.
Let us suppose, for example, that a
certain branch of your business did not get as
big a Christmas bonus this year as the other
branches. Actually, they did not have nearly as
profitable a year. And the company policy is to
pay bigger bonuses to those branches that
2 February 2010
make the most money. But you hear there has
been a lot of grumbling.
So what do you do? Instead of assuming
it will pass over, you go directly to them and
tell them what the policy is. “The Christmas
bonus is an extra we pay when we have had a
very profitable year. The branches who have
made bigger profits get the bigger bonuses.
When your branch makes a bigger profit, you
will get a bigger bonus.” This may not stop all
the complaints, but at least the facts will be on
the table. There will no longer be any question
as to why you did it, what you had in mind, or
whether you intend to stick by your decision.
Whenever you hear of grievances or
dissatisfaction, try to get to the bottom of the
matter as fast as you can. When you track
down gripes you will discover that many of
them are due to lack of communication or
misinformation. People are disturbed because
they do not understand the situation. You may
not be able to please everybody, but at least
you can correct these false impressions.
The mark of a good manager is that he or
she detects problems quickly and gets to the
root of the matter properly. Less-skilled
managers often ignore the same problems
until they are so severe that they are forced to
act. The trick to staying on top of things is to
get to the bottom of them – and fast!
(Source: “Bits and Pieces”)
2 3
Obituaries
The father of Ms Soumya Mathew (IVD
unit) passed away on 22 January 2010 in
Kerala.
The father-in-law of Mrs Samrithi Suri
(FIN Unit) passed away on 1 February 2010
in Delhi.
SN expresses its heartfelt condolences
to the bereaved family members and prays
for eternal peace to the departed souls.
***
Murder of English
Samples of a few interesting leave
applications: An employee applied for leave
as follows: “Since I have to go to my village
to sell my land along with my wife, please
sanction me one-week leave.”
From an employee who was
performing the “mundan” (head-shaving)
ceremony of his 10-year-old son: “As I want
to shave my son’s head, please leave me for
two days.”
Another gem: A leave letter from an
employee who was performing his
daughter’s wedding: “As I am marrying my
daughter, please grant a week’s leave.”
“As my mother-in-law has expired and
I am the only one responsible for it, please
grant me 10 days leave.”
Another employee applied for half-day
leave as follows: “Since I’ve to go to the
cremation ground at 10 O’clock and I may
not return, please grant me half-day casual
leave.”
Another employee wrote thus: “I am
suffering from fever, please declare one-day
holiday.”
A leave letter to the headmaster: “As I
am studying in this school I am suffering
from headache. I request you to leave me
today.”
Another leave letter written to the
headmaster: “As my headache is paining,
please grant me leave for the day.”
“My wife is suffering from sickness and
as I am her only husband at home I may be
granted leave”.
A candidate’s job application: “This
has reference to your advertisement calling
for a “Typist and an Accountant – Male or
Female”… As I am both (!!) for the past
several years and I can handle both with
good experience, I am applying for the
post.
Sample of a covering note: “I am
enclosed herewith…”
Another one: “Dear Sir, with reference
to the above, please refer to my below…”
(Contributed by Ms Susha Sreedharan,
WSH/SDE/SEARO, Source: Internet)
***
Nine New Year resolutions to
achieve your goal
Welcome the New Year with a positive
attitude. Aim for the stars and work with
sincere efforts, and you would definitely
attain your goals. Here are 9 resolutions to
keep your inspirations high and reach for
the sky you dreamt of:
(1) Inculcate a positive attitude: Believe in
yourself and trust the fact that all are
gifted with talents. Think positively and
do not fear failure.
(2) Be optimistic: It will have a positive
impact on your physical and
psychological health and also on
attendant characteristics of
perseverance, achievement and
motivation leading to academic,
political and occupational success.
(3) Have hope: It facilitates you to set
goals, formulate plans in order to
achieve the goals and motivate you to
accomplish them. It gives you the
ability to cope with illness and other
hardships.
(4) Devise a clear-cut goal: Set a goal,
ensure that it is specific, measurable,
achievable, realistic and time-bound. It
helps you witness progress, experience
a sense of fulfilment and gain
motivation.
(5) Accept ambiguity and uncertainty: If
things do not fall in place exactly as
planned due to unforeseen reasons,
avoid resentment. Instead, your ability
to tolerate ambiguity and uncertainty
should serve as an advantage.
(6) Hold yourself accountable for
outcomes: Streamline your activities
Publications Corner
Basic malaria microscopy: Part I.
Learner's Guide, Second Edition
With CD-ROM; Nonserial Publication;
World Health Organization
ISBN-13 9789241547826; ISBN-10
9241547820; Order Number 11501778
Price CHF 25.00 / US$ 25.00; Developing
countries: CHF 17.50
Microscopists are vital to malaria programmes,
and their diagnostic and technical skills are
relied on in both curative services and disease
surveillance. Thus, training in malaria
microscopy must be sound and must reach
today’s high standards.
This training package has been adjusted
to meet the changes in the way malaria is
and concentrate only on the final
outcome. Review often to check if you
are doing all you should to bring about
the right results.
(7) Be committed: As far as possible,
adhere to the plan and work as per the
plan honestly, sincerely and with
dedication.
(8) Set up a system of positive
reinforcement: Do not fail to
appreciate yourself. Such positive
reinforcements will motivate you to
perform better and to successfully
accomplish your goal.
(9) Aim higher: Rejoice in past
accomplishments but never be
complacent with the goals achieved.
Think wild, better your expectations
and aim for accomplishing higher
goals. Constantly upgrade and enhance
your skills to realize your new goal.
(Contributed by Ms Benita D’Souza, DOC/SDE
(Source: Internet).
diagnosed and treated. The training manual is
divided in two parts: a learner's guide (Part I)
and a tutor's guide (Part II). The package
includes a CD-ROM, prepared by the United
States Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, which contains microphotographs
of the different malaria parasite species and
technical information in PowerPoint format,
which can be shown during training sessions
and referred to by the participants. Emphasis is
placed on teaching and learning, including
monitoring and evaluating individuals and the
group during training.
This handbook (Part I of the Basic Malaria
Microscopy training modules) will assist
participants during training in the microscopic
diagnosis of human malaria. Designed as the
foundation for formal training of 4-5 weeks
duration, the guide is destined for participants
with only elementary knowledge of science.
2 3
Obituaries
The father of Ms Soumya Mathew (IVD
unit) passed away on 22 January 2010 in
Kerala.
The father-in-law of Mrs Samrithi Suri
(FIN Unit) passed away on 1 February 2010
in Delhi.
SN expresses its heartfelt condolences
to the bereaved family members and prays
for eternal peace to the departed souls.
***
Murder of English
Samples of a few interesting leave
applications: An employee applied for leave
as follows: “Since I have to go to my village
to sell my land along with my wife, please
sanction me one-week leave.”
From an employee who was
performing the “mundan” (head-shaving)
ceremony of his 10-year-old son: “As I want
to shave my son’s head, please leave me for
two days.”
Another gem: A leave letter from an
employee who was performing his
daughter’s wedding: “As I am marrying my
daughter, please grant a week’s leave.”
“As my mother-in-law has expired and
I am the only one responsible for it, please
grant me 10 days leave.”
Another employee applied for half-day
leave as follows: “Since I’ve to go to the
cremation ground at 10 O’clock and I may
not return, please grant me half-day casual
leave.”
Another employee wrote thus: “I am
suffering from fever, please declare one-day
holiday.”
A leave letter to the headmaster: “As I
am studying in this school I am suffering
from headache. I request you to leave me
today.”
Another leave letter written to the
headmaster: “As my headache is paining,
please grant me leave for the day.”
“My wife is suffering from sickness and
as I am her only husband at home I may be
granted leave”.
A candidate’s job application: “This
has reference to your advertisement calling
for a “Typist and an Accountant – Male or
Female”… As I am both (!!) for the past
several years and I can handle both with
good experience, I am applying for the
post.
Sample of a covering note: “I am
enclosed herewith…”
Another one: “Dear Sir, with reference
to the above, please refer to my below…”
(Contributed by Ms Susha Sreedharan,
WSH/SDE/SEARO, Source: Internet)
***
Nine New Year resolutions to
achieve your goal
Welcome the New Year with a positive
attitude. Aim for the stars and work with
sincere efforts, and you would definitely
attain your goals. Here are 9 resolutions to
keep your inspirations high and reach for
the sky you dreamt of:
(1) Inculcate a positive attitude: Believe in
yourself and trust the fact that all are
gifted with talents. Think positively and
do not fear failure.
(2) Be optimistic: It will have a positive
impact on your physical and
psychological health and also on
attendant characteristics of
perseverance, achievement and
motivation leading to academic,
political and occupational success.
(3) Have hope: It facilitates you to set
goals, formulate plans in order to
achieve the goals and motivate you to
accomplish them. It gives you the
ability to cope with illness and other
hardships.
(4) Devise a clear-cut goal: Set a goal,
ensure that it is specific, measurable,
achievable, realistic and time-bound. It
helps you witness progress, experience
a sense of fulfilment and gain
motivation.
(5) Accept ambiguity and uncertainty: If
things do not fall in place exactly as
planned due to unforeseen reasons,
avoid resentment. Instead, your ability
to tolerate ambiguity and uncertainty
should serve as an advantage.
(6) Hold yourself accountable for
outcomes: Streamline your activities
Publications Corner
Basic malaria microscopy: Part I.
Learner's Guide, Second Edition
With CD-ROM; Nonserial Publication;
World Health Organization
ISBN-13 9789241547826; ISBN-10
9241547820; Order Number 11501778
Price CHF 25.00 / US$ 25.00; Developing
countries: CHF 17.50
Microscopists are vital to malaria programmes,
and their diagnostic and technical skills are
relied on in both curative services and disease
surveillance. Thus, training in malaria
microscopy must be sound and must reach
today’s high standards.
This training package has been adjusted
to meet the changes in the way malaria is
and concentrate only on the final
outcome. Review often to check if you
are doing all you should to bring about
the right results.
(7) Be committed: As far as possible,
adhere to the plan and work as per the
plan honestly, sincerely and with
dedication.
(8) Set up a system of positive
reinforcement: Do not fail to
appreciate yourself. Such positive
reinforcements will motivate you to
perform better and to successfully
accomplish your goal.
(9) Aim higher: Rejoice in past
accomplishments but never be
complacent with the goals achieved.
Think wild, better your expectations
and aim for accomplishing higher
goals. Constantly upgrade and enhance
your skills to realize your new goal.
(Contributed by Ms Benita D’Souza, DOC/SDE
(Source: Internet).
diagnosed and treated. The training manual is
divided in two parts: a learner's guide (Part I)
and a tutor's guide (Part II). The package
includes a CD-ROM, prepared by the United
States Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, which contains microphotographs
of the different malaria parasite species and
technical information in PowerPoint format,
which can be shown during training sessions
and referred to by the participants. Emphasis is
placed on teaching and learning, including
monitoring and evaluating individuals and the
group during training.
This handbook (Part I of the Basic Malaria
Microscopy training modules) will assist
participants during training in the microscopic
diagnosis of human malaria. Designed as the
foundation for formal training of 4-5 weeks
duration, the guide is destined for participants
with only elementary knowledge of science.
4

This second edition of the Basic Malaria
Microscopy package is a stand-alone product,
providing all that is needed to conduct a
complete training course. It still contains the
beautiful and accurate water-colour
illustrations prepared for the first edition of the
manual by the late Yap Loy Fong. Experience
has shown that colour drawings are best in
training new recruits to recognize parasite
stages and species, because single plane
pictures help students to extrapolate from
what they see under the microscope, focused
at a number of focal planes, to a complete
view of the parasite. Later, they can move
from drawings and use microphotographs,
which will have an additional, positive impact.
Thus, the training course is further
strengthened if copies of the WHO Bench
Aids for Malaria Microscopy are also made
available to trainees.

Vacancies
Post and duty station
Temporary International Professional
(Primary Health Care) Department of
Family and Community Health,
(FCH)/SEARO
A thought for the day
In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not
worth the humble reasoning of a single individual.
Grade Vacancy Notice No. Closing date
Vol. XLVI, No. 3
P.05 SEARO/10/ROST1 23 March 2010
Spring Carnival 2010
The Staff Association will be organizing the
annual Spring Carnival in the premises of the
World Health House on Saturday, 13 February
2010.
As a run-up to the Carnival, sports and
music tournaments/competitions for staff
-Galileo Galilei, physicist and astronomer (1564-1642) members in carrom, chess, and quiz are being
conducted from 22 December 2009.
Raffle tickets are also being sold for the
event.
A good manager
A person who acts as boss is supposed to be a
problem-solver and a settler of differences.
Nothing makes people respect you more than
showing your willingness to deal with
dissatisfactions as fairly and squarely as
possible. A tendency to avoid this
responsibility leads people to suspect you are
“chicken.” In case there is any doubt in your
mind, that is not good.
Let us suppose, for example, that a
certain branch of your business did not get as
big a Christmas bonus this year as the other
branches. Actually, they did not have nearly as
profitable a year. And the company policy is to
pay bigger bonuses to those branches that
Cartoon by Ravinder Kumar, RPC/SEARO
2 February 2010
make the most money. But you hear there has
been a lot of grumbling.
So what do you do? Instead of assuming
it will pass over, you go directly to them and
tell them what the policy is. “The Christmas
bonus is an extra we pay when we have had a
very profitable year. The branches who have
made bigger profits get the bigger bonuses.
When your branch makes a bigger profit, you
will get a bigger bonus.” This may not stop all
the complaints, but at least the facts will be on
the table. There will no longer be any question
as to why you did it, what you had in mind, or
whether you intend to stick by your decision.
Whenever you hear of grievances or
dissatisfaction, try to get to the bottom of the
matter as fast as you can. When you track
down gripes you will discover that many of
them are due to lack of communication or
misinformation. People are disturbed because
they do not understand the situation. You may
not be able to please everybody, but at least
you can correct these false impressions.
The mark of a good manager is that he or
she detects problems quickly and gets to the
root of the matter properly. Less-skilled
managers often ignore the same problems
until they are so severe that they are forced to
act. The trick to staying on top of things is to
get to the bottom of them – and fast!
(Source: “Bits and Pieces”)