World AIDS Orphan Day

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

Regarding Guillermo Caravotta's plea for those infected children. As I had

stated in one of my earlier letters, that since the early1990s the number of

infected babies born in the USA has dropped to near zero, with the use of AZT

and nevirapine. Infected mothers also never breast feed. Those born in the early

1980s, who survived, are now teenagers and can take adult doses. So there is no

interest in pediatric AIDS drugs here.

That, however, does not mean that doctors and pharmaceutical companies in India

should not take an interest in saving their own patients. There is also a

profit motive here for the Indian drug companies. I had mentioned previously

that those doctors who want to make a name for themselves in India, should

conduct ethical drug trials for pediatric AIDS drugs from the existing HAART

drugs.

There is no need for coming up with new drugs, just permutations and

combinations of the existing ones with different strengths will do.

This could also help babies and young patients in Africa, South America (unless

Brazil has done it already) and elsewhere in Asia.

I am not being cynical, but since profit (for drug companies) and fame (for some

Indian doctors) drives people who are involved in this pandemic, there should be

a way out of the neglect of babies and children in India.

In 1992, the Director of Naz India, Anjali Gopalan, had brought up the

controversial topic of breast feeding of babies by infected mothers, as had been

suggested by the then WHO director, in a small gathering in a New York

apartment. Dr Micheal Saag, who is my doctor, also discussed this about Zambia,

where he works, when I brought it up recently. There they do it so as not to out

themselves to their neighbors.

Hoping for the best for these children, since sympathy/empathy rarely works in

this world.

Sincerely,

Priyadarshi Datta, PLWA

E-mail: <thurpu@...>