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AIDS epidemic Sir, Since independence, a vast infrastructure for health oriented schemes has been created in the country, but it needs to be functionally optimised by harnessing all community resources for health, so as to meet the growing need of population. Though the country has effective control over all kinds of diseases yet unfortunately it has not devised any concrete remedial measures to keep control of the latest disease AIDS - which is creating havoc in the life of common man. The latest killer disease that is creating nightmares for the medical experts is the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Its terrifying spread has earned it the title of the 'Pandemic' or an epidemic out of control. According to a monthly journal (Jan 1995) of Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, London - the AIDS first appeared in 'Cat' and first human victim was an American. The RCVS journal further states that only America counts for 59.5 per cent of total AIDS patients in the world. The veterinary surgeons at Royal College, London are on a 'war footing' task to find out the technique to combat AIDS. According to experts, India's position is quite grim and if left unchecked it could wreak social and economic devastation. In the absence of medical defences against AIDS, public education is the only weapon in the fight to limit the spread of infection. Only by influencing personal behaviour and life style can we hope to minimise the intensity of AIDS. The internal parts of human body come in contact with bacteria, protozoa and viruses, etc. via air, water, food or through an open wound. These micro-organisms not only get nutrition from our body, but also cause undesirable effects on our health. The immune system of our body is responsible for fighting these effects (which we call 'diseases'). The 'humbleness' of AIDS lies in the fact that it destroys the immune system itself, thereby exposing the body to all kinds of diseases and infections. Even though it is only a decade old, AIDS has already entered in the category of major killer diseases in many countries. WHO estimates say that a number of people infected with HIV will reach to million by year 2000. The spread in AIDS in USA, Thailand (more than 5 lakh infected people), many African countries and the Central American Island Haiti has become a cause of concern internationally. Presently the world has 13 million infected people, out of which 5 lakh have developed AIDS symptoms. In India about 7 lakh people have been confirmed to be HIV affected but unofficial figures show it to be 5 lakh WHO reports claim that the number of such cases will reach the 50 lakhs figure by the end of century. Experiments can be performed only on animals easily, so, veterinarians and medicos must come forward voluntarily to launch a joint massive operation to combat AIDS and save human lives. The need of the hour is dissemination of basic information in simple terms and about the causes of AIDS and the avenues of infection, the essential precautions to be taken facilities for treatment and all other related matters. The public must be alerted without generating hysteria about the real menace of the AIDS epidemic and measures required to combat it. Yours etc.... |
