Barbershops in the federal capital have become a breeding ground for bacteria that has led to a break out of infections and disease among residents. During a survey of shops and roadside barbers in the city, it was observed that barbershops set up on pedestrian pathways used non-sterilised equipment and substandard shaving creams. Most people who visited these shops were unaware of the potential health hazards of these practices. Several barbershops are mushrooming in the city centre and the surrounding suburbs.
In the past, many citizens have fallen victim to fatal diseases because of the unhygienic condition of these shops. However, these barbers have no idea how to sterilise their equipment. While it makes it convenient and easy for one to choose, there are questions on the service delivery especially the sanitary aspect of it.
There are several risks associated with sharing same gadgets like electric hair clippers. People who run several barbershops are doing little if not nothing to protect their customers from irreparable damage that can result from using hair clippers that are poorly sterilised.
In most cases, the barber is not be aware of the dangers associated with such recklessness, but some have decided to fatten their pockets at the expense of the lives of people.
So long money finds its way into their pockets, blood transmitted diseases, skin diseases and fungal infections are not their concern.
Asif Ali, a resident of Sector F-6, said, “I contracted Hepatitis from getting a haircut at these shops as barbers do not take care of cleanliness. I have become a patient now and even when I visit these shops, barbers use the same towel and tools which they use for everyone who visit their shops.”
Misbah Kalim, a hairdresser, said, “We cannot keep or afford to buy separate towels or tools for every person in this age of skyrocketing inflation.”
Another resident of Sector G-6 said, “I do not like to come to these nasty barber shops, but at the end of the day I do have to get my hair cut and have no alternative.”
A CDA health directorate official said they had recently amended municipal bylaws and declared hair dressers, barbers and beauty parlours as licensed trades. “Under the bylaws, these traders will have to collect necessary licences issued by the CDA Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) before setting up shop”, he added.
He said traders would also have to obtain an NOC, from the health directorate, verifying that no employees had Hepatitis B, C or HIV/ AIDs.
The official said that CDA inspectors regularly conducted raids in markets and educated barbers about hygiene standards.
Under this context the barber shops are neglecting their responsibility of avoiding the transmission of diseases that can occur while using electric hair clippers. Contaminated electric hair clippers can transfer infection directly to the blood of the customer if that individual has open cuts or sores. A hair clipper is a tool that has the potential to accidentally break skin and come in contact with blood. If you walk into several barber shops today you will be welcomed by the poor sanitary conditions that can make a reasonable person turn in disgust.
The interiors of several barber shops are kept unclean or unrepaired and they have the potential to spread skin infection on the scalp, face and neck such as impetigo and fungal infections such as tinea capitis and ringworm. The problems that can be caused are obviously covered by a façade that is virtually perfect to hide the resultant irreparable damage. People are unknowingly taking great risks as they take supposedly serious things for granted. In many people’s minds what is important is a hair-do and contagious diseases that can be spread by the instrument used and unsanitary conditions in the barbershop will remain veiled in obscurity. Many people consider themselves safe provided they are not accidentally cut by the instrument being used. This belief is so strong in our midst and the problem will remain unchecked until it reaches toxic levels.
The deafening silence of the health authorities on the matter raises more questions than answers.
When a haircut becomes deadly
