NRI scientist wants NACO chief to apologise

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NRI scientist wants NACO chief to apologise

13 Jul 2007, 1651 hrs IST , IANS

KOLKATA: Indian American researcher Kunal Saha has demanded an

apology from the chief of India's nodal AIDS body after the latter

questioned his credibility as an investigator for a World Bank probe

into HIV testing kits.

Saha has found in the probe that HIV testing medical kits supplied by

India's National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) were defective. But

NACO director general K. Sujata Rao has reportedly said, " This

investigator has no credibility " .

Saha said that he had obtained the World Bank permission's to expose

the scam of " the bogus HIV testing kits supplied by NACO and used by

hospitals across India " .

In a letter to Rao, he says: " I am writing this letter seeking an

unconditional apology for making the baseless and slanderous

allegations against me, which has undoubtedly tarnished my

professional as well as personal image before the public at large. "

Saha is known for his crusade against the medical fraternity in India

after his wife's death from alleged wrong treatment.

In the letter to Rao, he says: " It has come to my notice that you

have publicly expressed overtly caustic remarks about my professional

integrity in relation to my role as a medical consultant in a recent

World Bank investigation of complaints of corruption and fraud in the

distribution of sub-standard/defective HIV-test kits in India.

" In an article entitled, 'HIV-testing centers using bad kits -

researcher', which was published in the 12th July, 2007 issue of the

Hindustan Times, you have made a categorical comment, 'This

investigator has no credibility', in regard to my position with the

investigation by the World Bank.

" I am a 'dual-citizen' of India and have been involved with the study

of HIV/AIDS in top academic institutions across USA for the past more

than two decades.

" I am also the founding-president of the 'People for Better

Treatment' (PBT), a humanitarian society established to help the

defenceless victims of medical negligence and to promote better

healthcare in India, " Saha writes.

He said his standing as a bona fide HIV/AIDS scientist would be

evidently clear from his distinguished academic and research

accomplishments. "

" It is truly regrettable to observe that in spite of holding the

highest position in the government hierarchy of AIDS control in

India, you did not hesitate to stoop down to this level and publicly

charge a reputed international HIV scientist of Indian origin that he

has 'no credibility'.

" Needless to say, I am deeply hurt with your scathing remarks about

my scientific status and professional credibility, " he said.

Saha, a researcher based in Columbus, Ohio, was appointed by the

World Bank to investigate allegations of sub-standard HIV testing

kits being distributed in India.

Saha said he and other members of the World Bank team discovered that

there was " fraud " in distribution of HIV testing kits that has put

Indian patients in serious danger of contracting AIDS from

contaminated blood.

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