In support of T.N. Doctors

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

Greetings from CHENNAI.

Why is this mail subject has said TN doctors shun AIDS patients? Who said this

is only at TN. In fact there have been many centers caring for PLWH.

Institutions after Institutions have come up to the care of PLWH.

At the government set up, I have seen patients treated at TB Sanitarium where

the largest numbers of patients are cared in India. At GGH - Dr.Narendran and

his team,, Stanley Medical College hospital and KMC Dr.Usman at Government

Royapetta hospital, too PLWH are treated. AT MH, RSRM and KGH pregnant women are

treated and given Nevirapine.

At MGR medical university the dept of experimental medicine has been working on

research and PLWH.

AT NGO level, YRG - VHS, Gurukulam, CHES, World Vision and HOPE foundation have

been working for PLWH especially medical care.

The Government State Health Minister, Health secretary, DME, DPH and the TNSACS,

CAPAC and International funding agencies like APAC -VHS- USAID, CDC, and FHI

have all given a lot of preference to PLWH, their medical management,

psychosocial management and have addressed their needs.

I have personally admitted children at ICH & HC and with out any discrimination

they have been treated.

At private clinics Dr.JR Shankaran, Dr.Jeyakarpaul {Physcians}

Dr.Rajkumar, { Surgeon }Dr.Amudha { O & G}Dr.Suniti , Dr Iswarya, Dr.Sheila

Shyam Prasad, Dr.Vijai { Rainy Hospital}, Dr.Venkatesh { Saathi }Dr.Loganathan {

STD }and Dr.Manorama, {Paediatrician - that's myself} and many others have

catered to the needs of PLWH.

I recently visited Nammakkal an epicenter of HIV, even there doctors at GGH,

private clinics and hospitals - like Dr.Kulandaivelu, Dr.Natarajan, Dr.Kala and

Dr.Selvakumar are dedicated to the services of PLWH. Besides Dr.MGR medical

university is working at the PMTCT center and with out any discrimination

attending to the pregnant women.

I have been working in this field for more than 10 years and I have seen many

doctors {names if mentioned I should develop a huge directory} who have cared

for PLWH. I have given the names of institutions. Any one who wants to verify

can contact the respective people.

I can't accept any one still telling that PLWH are left uncared by medical

experts. This might have been the case in early 90's or late 80's but not now.

In fact TB hospital caters to many PLWH from other states such as Kerala,

AndhraPradesh and Mumbai .

Instead what we should try is to see doctors get adequate disposable materials

and PEP where and whenever needed. It really hurts feelings of such service

minded people. Please stop this.

TN is heading much ahead than other states.

Dr.Manorama;MD;DCH;DM{GASTRO}

PRESIDENT CHES.

E-mail: pmanorama@...

[Guest guest]

Dr. Manorama,

Hi this is Shyamala Ashok

Would like to share an incident with you. We at Chennai are carrying out the

Interventions on HIV/AIDS with the Film Industry (the first of its kind in

India) with the assistance from CAPACS. We have started our work with the

down trodden at the Film Industry being the Lightmen, dancers, technicians

etc. While my staff had taken one such person, personally for STD and HIV

testing, which took some time off with the result that they were delayed,

the reason being getting the bus to Royapettah Hospital, the Doctor (would

certainly not like to mention the name due to controversies that could be

created at a later date ) shouted at dismay the patient along with my

staff although treated!!!! But i certainly can tell you we would take yet

another 2 months before we could patch up the uncomfortable situation that was

unnecessasarily created at the hospital premises for no reason at all. The

reason probably was doctors at the Government Center would not like to see

the OP after 12 o clock. midday. I think there was one time while I was

working at the STD Dept. In the Government Hospital we opted for 24 hrs.

treatment for STDs, although it did not happen, ideas were there for

extending the time for STDs and their treatment due to the importance

rendered to the prevention of HIV.

What i am trying to bring out here is that every patient's first time with

the Doctors count a lot for 20 other persons who comes into contact with

the respective patient who had attended the clinic and if that one time is a

bad and an uncomfortable situation for him the 20 others would be missed out.

So really all the names that you brought out would not match the damage made.

How ever it was enlightening to note the cooperation and tie up of many

doctors working in this field in Tamil nadu.

I am sorry if i have not spelt out my concern in the right perspective and

the need was only for more realization to the cause,

Regards

Shyamala Ashok

E-mail: <aabinand@...>

[Guest guest]

Hello Dr. Ajith,

I have a comment as well as a few questions for you. I

am a graduate student completing a Masters in Public

Health at Boston University here in the US. I am

writing a paper related to HIV/AIDS.

There is a lot of concern and attention paid to

prevention efforts, research, and training with

respect to AIDS care. However, in my research, I

haven't come across any issues on the problem of

stigma among trained caregivers to PLWHAs who provide

pretest counseling in government hospitals across

India. This is actually my area of focus on my paper.

I would very much like you comment as well assist me

on this topic.

There is much lack of attention being paid to the

problem of stigma that caregivers experience and I

believe that in order for a patient to feel

comfortable to discuss his or her status, the

responsibility of caregivers who provide pretest

counseling is vital. This applies even before

preventive measures are acted upon.

I will let you comment on this.

Thank you.

Nandini Bhatnagar

Boston University Sch. of Public Health

Boston, MA, USA.

E-mail:<asubhui@...>