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| Picture Source : Google Images |
Seven months of service at a government hospital in rural India right after my MBBS graduation doesn’t make me an expert in matters
relating to health . Neither should that hold me back from putting across
something which demands action and further more, careful planning . Yes , I am talking
about the plight of the many HIV positive patients dwelling in the grueling
darkness of horror and helplessness across the country . Having been dissected
by action panels time and again , the scenario has definitely come out of its
veils to brighter response over the years . But still , the same question
continues to hang in the air as dubious as ever - ‘ Have we done enough ‘ ?
During my short stint as a medical officer at a government
hospital , I came across a couple of HIV patients who used to frequent the OPD
demanding a particular medicine to help them get some sleep at night . The same
drug which is normally prescribed at a particular safe dose was in government
supply which these patients are very well aware of . Having had the opportunity
to talk to one of those patients in my opd one day , I enquired whether he has
completed his ART ( Anti Retro Viral Therapy ) . Much to my surprise I realized
that he hasn’t taken any treatment at all , though it has been conveyed to him
years before that he was retro positive . He told me “ You tell me , will I be
cured of this disease forever if I take the treatment ? I wont be , I know. Then
why should I even bother ! “ . Try as I might , I failed to evoke any positive
response In him towards what he, as a patient should be doing, for the sake of
him and the people around him .
Disheartening to know that such dejected minds exist in
the silent corners of our country
fighting against the harrowing arrows of
this dreaded disease all alone . Definitely
, actions are being taken at the best of
governments capabilities , atleast close enough, such that the disease is being curbed . But
incidents like these project the gravity of the situation much more to the
limelight . Have we done enough ? Then why do people like him still exist in gallows
in the nooks and corners of our country ?
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| Picture source : Google Images |
I strongly believe that the cleansing ought to begin from
the root levels . Be it unhealthy sexual practices or drug abuse, the problem
has burrowed to unimaginable depths . HIV positive mothers give birth to babies
unaware of the fact that a lot could be done to save atleast their babies from
the clutches of the same disease which has torn their life apart to shreads
. The prime step is to let people
realize the fact that contracting the disease isn’t the end of their life .
Amongst all the adverse effects , there is one truth that this fast paced generation
teaches us – that a lot can be achieved in a days time . When the situation
remains so efforts should be directed at creating proper awareness that
appropriate Anti retro viral therapy clearly extends the life of the diseased years forward , given that they
dedicate themselves for the same at the earliest .
Its high time that the taboo ruling the society in the
name of HIV be destroyed . They deserve a healthier tomorrow just like each one
of us . Also its high time we realized that there is little use in waiting for
the last hour to make the much needed correction . With the disease having
chewed up their cells and gradually their minds too there is practically
nothing the doctors can do to revive them back to their normal lives .
Prevention , and in this case proper awareness as well , definitely is better
than cure .
