Iatrogenic HIV infection case

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[Moderators note: Iatros means physician in Greek, and -genic, meaning induced

by, is derived from the International Scientific Vocabulary. Combined, they

become iatrogenic, meaning physician-induced. Iatrogenic disease is disease

which is caused by a physician, by medical treatment or diagnostic procedures]

Dear Forum,

I have been reading the inspiring efforts and views for a long time, but this

is the first time I am writing in this forum.

Let me introduce myself first. I am currently in the USA and just finished my

PhD in molecular biology. I worked on HIV vaccine development project and from

there only I got inspired to join this forum.

Originally, I am from a small town called Dahod which is in Gujarat state,

India. i received my MBBS degree from Ahmdabad, India.

Recently, I came to know about a few cases of Iatrogenic HIV infection in Dahod.

I have been talking with one patient and the Dahod doctor association has

requested her not to take any action and the physician agreed to pay for

medication. This case happened during delivery and the patient got infection

from contaminated material used during the procedure. Also, because of

complicated social condition the patient's family is not coming forward and

most of the infected people are hiding themselves.

Main problem here is the doctors, who are supposed to help in fighting the worst

epidemic of our time, have forgotten their ethics and trying to save their ass.

I am in the United States so can't do much except I have been trying to convince

the patient and the family (as in this particular case I described here, I know

the patient personally) to pursue for the right action.

If this happens this will set up a model for other people and doctors. This will

help in increasing awareness among people and doctors to provide treatment in a

correct way.

Please, advice me how to pursue in this situation and contact

right people and organization who can help immediately.

Also, I am trying to establish an AIDS foundation for awareness in Dahod area. I

would appreciate if someone can guide me for that. My plan is to set up a sister

foundation with help of other friends here in the States to collect donation and

couple of my friends are ready to take active participation to set up an

organization in Dahod area. However, it would be nice to get help and work with

an established organization to achieve our goal in less time and more

efficiently.

Thank you,

Taher

Taheri Sathaliyawala, MD, PhD

Postdoctoral Research Scientist

Microbiology and Immunology Department

Columbia University Medical Center

630 West 168th Street

New York, NY 10032

240-460-3916

e-mail: <taher_dr@...>