Appeal to stop Ramdev Baba from making tall claims on HIV cure

[Guest guest]

APPEAL TO STOP RAMDEV 'BABA' FROM MAKING TALL CLAIMS ON HIV CURE

Among the past few weeks media writings about Ramdev and Ramadoss, one of the

recent controversies is about the self-proclaimed 'Baba' Ramdeve's claim that

yoga can cure AIDS.

He is also reported to have claimed that AIDS cannot be prevented by using

condoms. The Peoples Health Organisation (India) - an NGO responsible for

bringing India on the AIDS control map of the world,

through its hard struggle since 1985 for the prevention, control and

management of HIV/AIDS in India, has taken a strong exception to such

irresponsible and un-scientific claims.

PHO appeals the Government of India to stop this unstoppable 'Baba' who has

probably developed a 'Foot-in-the-mouth' disease and makes all sorts statements

misguiding millions of people suffering from different ailments including

infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS.

Though Ramdev has been successful in popularizing the importance of 'Yoga' the

ancient Indian formula for positive health,

he has developed a habit of exceeding his brief and this time by declaring a

cure on HIV the virus responsible for causing AIDS, engulfing millions of

people worldwide.

Moreover, he started a campaign telling people that AIDS

can not be prevented by using condoms, which is doing a great disservice to

millions of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and several more vulnerable to

HIV.

Indi is the country with the highest number of HIV/AIDS cases in the world has

several disciplines of medicines and in last decade witnessed everything from

Human Faeces to Snake Venom as AIDS Cure, being propagated by fake claimants and

quacks and the 'Baba' is added to this ever-increasing list.

Ironically, the media, contrary to their role as the watch-dog agencies to

expose such fake claimants and fake cures, were directly promoting them through

glamourising and giving more than desired print and air space.

While our over two decades of experience in managing HIV/AIDS shows that Yoga

and regular exercise certainly help PLWHA to be healthier, it would be

far-fetched and misguiding to claim that a cure for AIDS will be found through

yoga in the next couple of years.

Such statements mislead the masses and undo the undeterred efforts put in by

social activists, volunteers and organizations to check the spread of the

epidemic by promoting safe behavioural practices and by the medical caregivers

by extending the life and postponing the ailments for several years.

Further, the Baba's suggestion to do away with sex education among youngsters

will be a retrograde step. We should unequivocally expose fake AIDS cures and

fraudulent claimants including quacks bullying PLWHAs.

PHO appeals the authorities and press to take necessary cognizance and save

gullible patients of HIV/AIDS, who need our sympathy, empathy and support. If

not resolved in time, PHO will take-up the issue legally at appropriate foray.

Dr.I.S.Gilada,

Hon. Secretary Genera,

AIDS Society of India and

PEOPLES HEALTH ORGANISATION (INDIA)

Municipal School Bldg., J J Hospital Compound, , Mumbai- 400008

Tel: 23061616; Fax: 23000016; 9820081566; E-mail: ihoaids@...