The role of Quack's in HIV transmission

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Comments on: Reflection and Reaction: Unsafe medical injections and

HIV transmission in India. The Lancet Infectious Diseases - Vol. 7,

Number 3, March 2007, Pages 178-179

Re: /message/7132

The role of Quack's in HIV transmission

Dr.Rakesh Bharti, March 01 2007

March 01 2007

Ever since 2002 to May 2005,431 patients were enrolled at my center

for HIV management. The retrospective analysis of their data

regarding routes of transmission reiterates the findings of this

article.In our series the route of transmission mainly was sex (CSW

or husband in adults)59.6% cases;blodd and IVDU,10.2% each and

unknown in 11.4% besides vertical in children.It is this unknown

route where the victims were unaware about the fact of their

acquisition of virus which is worrisome.The needle of suspicion in

all these cases was pointing towards the main health care providers

of rural areas i.e quacks/unqualified medical practioners using same

needle/syringes for many patients.Out of nine patients getting virus

thru their occupation-three are such practioners themselves

unfortunately.Irony is that despite their own HIV positivity,after

acieveing good health by the grace of HAART,they still are practing

the old way.

Post script- i am only one of the dermatologist and STD,and HIV

consultant of the area covering 3 Million population and my records

are no where in governament files ,as no one has ever asked about

the data.

Dr.Rakesh Bharti, Consultanat, BDC Research Center,27-D,Sant

Avenue,The Mall,Amritsar,Punjab,,India.