Re: Parbhani Maharashra: Positive child was forcefullyremoved from hospital

[Guest guest]

It's very unfortunate to have such an incidence, but let me tell you Sarang,

this does not happen only in places like Parbhani, but this is becoming a common

pattern all over.

According to me, the main reason behind such an attitude of doctors is Myths and

Misconception about HIV/AIDS among many doctors.

Therefore, I had stressed sufficiently in NACPIII e-consultations about the need

for training and sensitization of doctors about HIV.

It is very disgusting fact that very in conferences and so called CMEs organized

for updating the knowledge of Medical Professionals, topics like HIV and PMCT

are sparingly included.

They are more interested only in Hi Tich knowledge and techniques.

Dr. Nishikant Shrotri

E-mail: <nishparna@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear Readers,

India doesn't have national health policy and if it did none of the States would

adopt it unless it suited them.

If there was health policy regarding the rights of PLWA's to be admitted and

treated the same as any other patients then it should be an offence to refuse

it. If penalities apply includng the requirement for staff training or

re-training and financial compensation to be paid to the patients refused

treatment, the hospitals would be seeking information that would help them

to be compliant.

Thats what happens in Australia. The same rules of course apply to Real Estate

agents and to Schools as well and it really costs if

you break the laws.

Of course the reality of law making in India is somewhat of a farce. Most of the

entrusted law makers are themselves law breakers when it suits them.

Imagine trying to find a panel of indian legislators who might be entrusted with

solemn duties and then ensuring that only those who themselves had never had

proven cases listed against them were on it.

I despair at having to make up such a panel.

India needs HIV legislation that applies throughout the Nation. It also needs

bipartisan support which is no where near the case these days. The community

needs education that overcomes the fears that produce Stigma.

Doctors or hospital administrators need to attend correctional training courses

when they say or do things that are contrary to best practice. Best practice

suggests today that even people detected early with the HIV virus in their

bodies need never progress to AIDS disease but who really believes that in

India? Some assume that access to ARV medicine will solve the problems of

infection but how many doctors or other health professionals

understand that to prescribe medicine to those that can't afford to continue it

for life and who don't have access to sanitation, safe hydration and proper

nutrition will die much more quickly than if they got no medicine at all.

What have we learned about TB and its eradication? What do we understand about

good social support networks for maintaining healthy immunity?

Thise are much more important to India than anywhere else in the world simply

because in this era of globalisation India is the epicentre of the flat earth.

Just go and look at INFOSYS in Bangalore if you have problems believing that

statement.

This epicentre will self destruct if we don't very soon get a handle on the one

of the few destructive powers that transcend terrorism, race, caste, creed and

whatever the particular flavour of the month exists in Politics.

I am just completing my fifth year of six monthly pilgrimages to India and its

infected and affected HIV communities and as I complete a report of my efforts

and attempt to justify the costs of that exercise I am running out of examples

where best practice has either been clearly understood or put into practice and

far too many continue to be infected and worse still, far too many continue to

be victimised, many of them children whose only complicit behaviour was

surviving their birth.

Greetings from sunny Calcutta where rain is not affecting my travels and sweet

thanks to Air Deccan for making it possible for me to travel like a poor indian

and cover the whole circuit of India in under 2 months.

GeoffreY

E-maill: <gheaviside@...>