Miguel Braganza wrote: Just one simple step to stay away from sex
related AIDS -
Stay loyal to your spouse(if married) or use a good condom (if unmarried).
jc's response:
I agree. BTW: A good condom is one with a spermicide.
I'd also suggest that Goa needs to look at another preventable avenue
of contracting HIV i.e. Transfusion with Contaminated Blood.
Naegele E, Hemed Y, et al (1990) reported at the International
Conference on AIDS that in Tanzania transmission of HIV-1 occurs in 1%
of the blood transfusions despite the use of HIVCHECK [1]
Dr. Sumit Ghoshal September 24, 2000 noted that 5 years after the
Mumbai chapter of Indian Red Cross Society allegedly supplied HIV
infected blood to as many as 12 hospitals in the metropolis, efforts
to trace all the infected units of blood had not (yet) succeeded.
Dr Ghosh stressed the need to reduce the demand for transfusable blood.[2]
Dr. Ambika Nanu, Department of Transfusion Medicine,AIIMS, New Delhi
wrote on 17 June, 2002 that reliable nationwide figures for viral
transmission were not available in India, but that reports indicated
that transfusion associated hepatitis B C combined, was in the range
of 7% for patients receiving between 1-8 units of blood.
Dr. Nanu also noted that None of the six steps to a safe blood
transfusion service are in place in India. The high incidence of TAI (
transfusion associated Infections) in Indian patients was a
consequence of this deficiency.[3]
Zarin S Bharucha, J G Jolly et al writing in the Indian Journal for
the Practising Doctor stated that nearly 7% of AIDS patients reported
to the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) in India had acquired
infection following transfusion of infected blood and blood
products.[4]
Dr. Kunal Saha, an associate professor at Colombus Children's
Hospital, Ohio, USA, a recognized expert in the field of HIV/AIDS
research produced data showing the Second National HIV/AIDS Control
Project in India had purchased and distributed bogus test kits - kits
which show false negative results: HIV-infected blood samples appear
to be 'clean' and suitable for transfusion.[5]
It is difficult to determine the true safety of the blood available
for transfusion in Goa. Accordingly, the only prudent thing, for Goan
society to do, is to reduce the need for trauma related blood
transfusions.
There are far too many preventable accidents happening in Goa.
Precious lives are lost, unnecessary grief is brought on families,
productive lives are suddenly cut short, and those which are saved by
donated blood - have the Damoceles(HIV, HepB, HepC brand) sword
hanging over them.
There is no vaccine to prevent HIV till date (HepB [HepC] has been
available and used for several years). We need to work towards
avoiding ANY preventable trauma in Goa, in addition to practicing safe
monogamous sex.
Any Nirodhi March, Virodhi Manch or Fasting Mesquitas willing to take
on this as a project to promote Safe Beds and Safer Roads?
jc
references:
[1] Int Conf AIDS. 1990 Jun 20-23; 6: 274
[2] http://www.boloji.com/health/articles/01003.htm
[3] http://www.doctorndtv.com/feature/detailarchivefeature.asp?id=67
[4] Indian Journal for the Practising Doctor: Vol. 3, No. 1 (2006-03 - 2006-04)
[5]IFIwatchnet 2007-09-28
