The directives by the courts in AP

[Guest guest]

Dear memebers,

[This posting is in response to the Court directives on AIDS in Andhra Pradesh.

Moderator]

We should all welcome the proactive role played by the courts, however the

guidelines regarding the use of only disposable syringes and needles are

unscientific.

1) The basic science teaches us that boiling and autoclaving are good methods of

sterilization.

2) These basic technologies are far cheaper than depending on disposables.

3) If monitoring sterilization by simple techniques is difficult then

guarenteeing safety of the disposables is far more complex ( manufacture,

sterilization, transport, use and safe disposal),

4) we want sterile equipment and not fancy environment 'deadly' plastic made.

In fact there needs a massive campaigne to train health care providers about the

basics.We need a debate on this. Personally I would believe in a syringe and

needle sterilized in front of my own eyes than believing something that

may or may not have been sterilized at all.

If hospitals in AP, in the year 2001 can transfuse blood without testing then

can we believe anybody?

Dr. Vinay Kulkarni

E-mail: <prayashealth@...>

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