MP: The state’s hand in the proliferation of AIDS quacks

[Guest guest]

Miracle cures are subjects of fantasy. But when the Madhya Pradesh State Aids

Control Society starts promoting the cause of quacks, a nightmare scenario seems

to be unfolding.

At a time when modern medicine is taking leaps and bounds and several possible

vaccines for Aids are in the human trial stage, Uma Bharti's government is busy

recommending patients to one Baba Shree Nirvikar Path, who claims to have a

spiritual cure for Aids. This is reminiscent of Sanjay Paswan, an ex-minister in

the NDA government, who championed the cause of ojhas (exorcists). Who said the

Dark Ages were over?

The state's hand in the proliferation of quacks is three-fold.

First, it simply has not done enough to improve health facilities in rural

areas, let alone the pathetic state of urban health centres. While clinics,

where they exist, are poorly maintained and offer questionable services, in some

areas, people have no choice but to travel many miles to reach the nearest

hospital.

Second, in many cases, those wielding power have a vested interest in promoting

such activities. In Uttaranchal, for instance, a recent raid on the flourishing

Neeraj Clinic, which offered banned drugs as a sure-fire remedy against

epilepsy, has opened a can of worms, with some ministers in the state government

suspected of patronising the illegal clinic.

Third, in a country like India there is need for awareness programmes against

irrational and superstitious beliefs if health standards have to improve. But

now, it seems, such a plan will have to target those who head governments

themselves.

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