City battles HIV drugs shortage

Around 40,000 HIV patients dependent on ART centres for treatment are at risk of missing their medication due to rising shortage in drugs The nationwide shortage of HIV drugs distributed at Anti retroviral Therapy (ART) cen tres has affected people in and around Ahmedabad too, with patients being turned away or given medicines for three days as opposed to the norm of six months. The reason, say experts, is National Aids Control Society's (NACO) delay in filing a tender for the supply of the medicine. The shortage, say doctors, is alarming because irregular consumption of medicines could lead to patients developing drug-resistant HIV.

When sisters gift love and life

On Rakshabandhan, men vow to protect their sisters. Yet, Mirror comes across cases where sisters have gone far beyond mere rituals by donating their organs and giving their ailing brothers anew lease of life

Paresh Makwana, a 35-year-old daily wage labourer, suffered from kidney stones which ended up damaging both his kidneys. Newly married Makwana was fighting for his life when his 25-year-old sister, Varsha, gave him a new life by donating her kidney.

Makwana has two brothers and sisters, all of whom are married expect Varsha who readily agreed to donate her organ to save her brother's life.“When she saw me bed-ridden, she decided to sacrifice her dreams of getting married and donated her kidney to me.Very few sisters are like her,“ he said.

Makwana explained, “In our society, men do not generally marry a woman with one kidney as she is at risk of ailments in future. So, she decided against getting married. She will devote her life to god. Varsha took this decision only for me. She has gifted me a new life.“

Meenaben Marwari, the 40-yearold wife of a sarpanch from Vadodara district, donated her kidney to her 37year-old brother Mahesh Dagra. Talk ing to Mirror, her husband Mukesh Marwari said, “Mahesh was diagnosed with diabetes which affected both his kidneys. My wife was worried about his survival so she decided to donate her kidney to her brother.“

He added, “Though my wife is middle-aged, she didn't think twice before donating her kidney. Her love surprised all of us.“ On Rakshabandhan, a brother promises to protect his sister with his life when she ties the sacred thread of rakhi on his wrist. Yet, 11 sisters took on the role of protector in 2014 by donating their kidneys to their brothers.In comparison, only two brothers donated their kidneys to their sisters.

Similarly, out of the total 21 sibling kidney donations in 2013, 19 were made by sisters for their brothers whereas only two brothers donated their kidneys to their sisters. In 2014, no liver donation has been recorded among siblings. Regarding gender disparity in organ donation, Dr Priya from Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC) said, “Out of the total 348 kidney donations made in 2014, only 3.7 per cent are provided by siblings. Of this, only 15 per cent of them are provided by brothers which is saddening.Why should sisters always donate their organs? Sibling love should be both ways. Brothers should also donate to save the lives of their sisters.“

Dr Vivek Kute, nephrologist at IKDRC said, “In most families, males are the main bread-earners. They generally avoid donating organs as they do not want to risk their lives and the survival of their families.“

Passport dept excuses curfew delays

Passport offices in the city accepteddocuments of applicants who failed to reach the offices for scheduledappointments on Wednesday due to curfew

With several passport seekers missing their appoint ments at the passport seva kendras on Wednesday due to the curfew, the city passport department on Thursday allowed walk-in interviews to facilitate the affected applicants. As per reports, only 40 per cent applicants made it for interviews on Wednesday. While exceptions were also made for applicants who reached after their scheduled time due to the curfew on Thursday, others will have to apply for a second appointment.

Illegal kilns thrive, harm environment, brick by brick

GPCB says around 60 of the 75 kilns inthe city operate in an unauthorised manner as they do not have the board’s NOC.However, the board has not taken action yet as it is ‘short-staffed’

A growing number of unauthorised brick kilns in the city are posing environmental concerns and health hazards. According to Gujarat Pollution Control Board’s (GPCB) report submitted to State Environment Ministry on July 24, around 60 of the 75 kilns in the city are illegal.

Civil Hospital, You’re Disgustingly Filthy

Every year same story: two resident docs down with dengue...BJ Medical College students arefurious with Civil Hospital authorities who keep proving year after year thatthey are incapable of maintaining hygiene on campus

Time and again, Civil Hospital authorities have been pulled up for not maintaining cleanliness on its premises, especially during monsoon. But it seems to make no difference. The hospital’s apathy towards providing a clean environment to its patients and doctors is evident from the most recent cases where two students of BJ Medical College Hostel were diagnosed with dengue. In the past, too, doctors at Civil have fallen victim to the aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the vector transmitting dengue.   

BLOODY UNCIVIL

A 10-year-old blood cancer patient fromMadhya Pradesh was not allowed blood transfusion at GCRI till his helplessfather had arranged for a replacement blood donation at Civil Hospital. It isunethical for hospitals to seek mandatory donations.

In a city like Ahmedabad which is lauded for cost-effective and quality healthcare services, Gujarat Cancer Research Institute (GCRI) kept a 10-year-old leukaemia patient’s blood transfusion on hold till his father managed to arrange for a replacement blood donation at Civil Hospital.