Re: Doha: Big Pharma outmaneuvered by activists

[Guest guest]

We must all applaud and take lesson from the solidarity and purpose

shown by the AIDS activists at Doha. Their successful heralding of a new

era in the access and delivery of life saving medications for all,

especially in the face of opposition by the big pharmaceutical

companies, is exemplary. It constitutes a truly remarkable demonstration

of the human spirit -- the very same people, who, in many countries are

pariahs, have fought for the health and welfare of all.

We must strive to go further if we wish to see the transformation to a

global civil society in the next decade. Basic health services, maternal

and child care, protection from vaccine preventable diseases, clean

drinking water, and sanitation must be guaranteed for all, as must

education. Health care and education are the two most important pillars

of modern society and any nation not providing these for its entire

population will flounder.

Our path is laid out before us -- these two pillars cannot be built

without good governance. Just like the AIDS activists built consensus in

the public's mind that life saving drugs must be available to all --

that profits and patents are secondary to the universal value of human

life -- so too must we build consensus that health care and education

are more important than the posturing of politicians and bureaucrats,

their obsession with power and pomp, and their taking refuge behind

showcase development. We can no longer afford to allow them to hijack

society.

If AIDS activistist can overcome social stigma, poor health, and daily

preoccupation with death, then why can we not prevail and create good

governance? The reason is simple -- the prospect of death unites the

AIDS activists, the inability to carry out simple daily tasks makes

health their number one priority, and asking for the ability to lead an

honorable life cannot be denied by any religion, race or politics. The

providing of health care and education for all is also an undeniable

human right, however the healthy and the learned activists working on

behalf of the marginalized have not been able to keep the same focus,

drive, and clarity of purpose as the AIDS activists. And unfortunately,

the marginalized are not able to speak for themselves.

We have the power, the purpose, and the reasons for demanding good

governance. We, unfortunately, have lacked in creating unity through

consensus. AIDS activists have shown us the way, so let us not continue

to make excuses. The two billion people we purport to care about do not

have decades to spare before they are allowed to enjoy what we call

basic human rights. We must act with unity, unwavering purpose, and

urgency to achieve what we believe in.

Rajan Gupta

rajan@...

http://t8web.lanl.gov/people/rajan/AIDS-india/

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