“Journalists can save more lives
than doctors”
Dr. Peter Piot
The Former Executive Director of UNAIDS
=================
Challenges facing by media
• Editors don’t prioritize HIV and AIDS stories, media need to find new angles on coverage to make it newsworthy
• Need for separate media strategies to reach different audiences (policy makers, PLHIV, youth)
* youth are currently underserved by current media outreach
* not enough new media is directed towards AIDS awareness, prevention and reduction of stigma and discrimination
• Not only report program, but also analyze the legal and policy issues
• Information needs to be more widely available in local languages
---------
Challenges faced by media
Standardized terms for discussing the issues that are non-discriminatory, nonambiguous and accessible
• Raising standards of ethics among journalists for covering PLHIV is necessary
• Coverage still tends to be sensational
• Coverage is still concentrated around World AIDS UNAIDS Day
--------
Possible roles for media
• Give a voice to affected communities
• Humanize affected and infected persons – portray consequences of stigma and discrimination, and reduce distance
• Focus on legal issues which are impediments
• Address fears and misconceptions through accurate information
• Discuss taboo topics
• Inspire partnerships
• Keep the AIDS issues alive – AIDS is not going to go away so soon
-------
Achievements by media
Coverage:
HIV kept visible and high in people’s minds
HIV kept on national and International agendas
Partnership:
• Multi-sectoral cooperation between government, media, NGOs, CSOs, and the
private sector for raising awareness,
* regional and sub-regional networks and alliances are empowering and effective
Involvement of PLHIV in media outreach for reducing
stigma
• Humanizing PLHIV through profiles and articles that focus on their personal stories and portrays them as productive and active members of society
* readers respond to stories that tug at the heartstrings
* coverage that gives voice to PLHIV decreases stigma
• Involvement of celebrities helps reduce stigma
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Nuclear reactor in Kadapa district: 25 year dream come true for AP
Syed Akbar
Hyderabad, Aug 10: Andhra Pradesh is all set to enter the nuclear power map
of India by producing "clean energy", making powercuts a thing of the past.
And in the process it will fight climate change and global warming. Two sites
have been identified for nuclear reactors in the State and the Nuclear Power
Corporation of India has already cleared one of the sites.
The State has already emerged as the nuclear fuel hub of the country with
vast thorium and fairly large uranium reserves and the proposed nuclear
power reactors in Kadapa district and Srikakulam districts will further boost
its "nuclear" image. The State has heavy water plant at Manuguru and
Nuclear Fuel Complex and Atomic Minerals Directorate in Hyderabad. The
Kadapa plant is expected to generate 2000 mw of clean energy without
causing air pollution.
The Atomic Energy Commission had long ago drawn up ambitious plans to
commission nuclear reactors in the State. The Nuclear Power Corporation of
India had cleared the proposal for a nuclear reactor at Kovvada in Srikakulam
district five years ago. But things did not move an inch because of political
considerations.
With Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy renewing interest in nuclear
power plant at his native Pulivendula village, the NPCIL and APGenco have
started a rework on the project. The NPCIL is now expected to give its
clearance for the plant near Pulivendula in Kadapa district. "It takes at least
six months for us to give the necessary recommendations for the project
based on a number of factors including availability of water and seismic
conditions," says S Thakur, former NPCIL director.
A nuclear power plant is finally getting shape in the State, 25 years after a
silmilar plant was proposed near Nagarjunasagar. The Central government
had to back out amidst stiff opposition from politicians and environment
activists. The Kovvada project too has been hanging in balance for at least a
decade.
That the Kadapa reactor is going to become a reality can be assessed from the
fact that there has been no opposition to the power plant this time. While
environmentalists mobilised national support to oppose Nagarjunasagar
nuclear power plant two decades ago, this time there's only a murmur here
and there. Neither the Central nor the State governments has taken any
decision on the proposed plant at Kovvada so far.
A group of politicians, however, has opposed the Kadapa plant not because
of environmental reasons, but because of political considerations. The
proposed plant will draw water from the Somasila project and those opposed
to the Chief Minister, Dr YS Rajasekhar Reddy, do not want the nuclear plant
located in his native district to thrive on Krishna waters.
"The uranium mine and the mill, which are under construction at
Tummalapalle in Kadapa district will go on stream in 2013," says Atomic
Energy Commission chairman Dr Anil Kakodkar. Once the project is ready it
will supply uranium to various plants in the country.
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India has already inspected the proposed
site at Pulivendula and if things go as planned, the reactor will be ready in the
next five years. Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy has already instructed
GENCO to take up the project along with NPCIL.
The Sate government is ready to bear 50 per cent of the total cost of the
nuclear reactor near Pulivendula. The plant will add 2000 megawatt of power
to the national grid.
Somalsila Protection Committee leader Jakka Venkaiah said the proposed
nuclear plant will turn Nellore district dry. "The government should not go in
for political considerations. Already the Somasila reservoir is tapped to its
full capacity by supplying drinking water to Chennai through Telugu Ganga.
Any deviation of water will have a severe impact on the ecology of Nellore
district," he said.
The Central government wants to generate 20,000 mw of nuclear energy by
2020 and AP is all set to contribute 10 per cent of it. Andhra Pradesh has a
stalled capacity of 8000 mw of power generation by all means. "Though new
projects are going to be added next year, there's nothing like nuclear energy,
which is pollution-free and clean. Moreover, a small quantity of nuclear fuel
is required to generate large quantities of nuclear power. Electricity will
become cheaper and affordable if we generate nuclear power," said
environment scientist ChV Subbaiah.
Hyderabad, Aug 10: Andhra Pradesh is all set to enter the nuclear power map
of India by producing "clean energy", making powercuts a thing of the past.
And in the process it will fight climate change and global warming. Two sites
have been identified for nuclear reactors in the State and the Nuclear Power
Corporation of India has already cleared one of the sites.
The State has already emerged as the nuclear fuel hub of the country with
vast thorium and fairly large uranium reserves and the proposed nuclear
power reactors in Kadapa district and Srikakulam districts will further boost
its "nuclear" image. The State has heavy water plant at Manuguru and
Nuclear Fuel Complex and Atomic Minerals Directorate in Hyderabad. The
Kadapa plant is expected to generate 2000 mw of clean energy without
causing air pollution.
The Atomic Energy Commission had long ago drawn up ambitious plans to
commission nuclear reactors in the State. The Nuclear Power Corporation of
India had cleared the proposal for a nuclear reactor at Kovvada in Srikakulam
district five years ago. But things did not move an inch because of political
considerations.
With Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy renewing interest in nuclear
power plant at his native Pulivendula village, the NPCIL and APGenco have
started a rework on the project. The NPCIL is now expected to give its
clearance for the plant near Pulivendula in Kadapa district. "It takes at least
six months for us to give the necessary recommendations for the project
based on a number of factors including availability of water and seismic
conditions," says S Thakur, former NPCIL director.
A nuclear power plant is finally getting shape in the State, 25 years after a
silmilar plant was proposed near Nagarjunasagar. The Central government
had to back out amidst stiff opposition from politicians and environment
activists. The Kovvada project too has been hanging in balance for at least a
decade.
That the Kadapa reactor is going to become a reality can be assessed from the
fact that there has been no opposition to the power plant this time. While
environmentalists mobilised national support to oppose Nagarjunasagar
nuclear power plant two decades ago, this time there's only a murmur here
and there. Neither the Central nor the State governments has taken any
decision on the proposed plant at Kovvada so far.
A group of politicians, however, has opposed the Kadapa plant not because
of environmental reasons, but because of political considerations. The
proposed plant will draw water from the Somasila project and those opposed
to the Chief Minister, Dr YS Rajasekhar Reddy, do not want the nuclear plant
located in his native district to thrive on Krishna waters.
"The uranium mine and the mill, which are under construction at
Tummalapalle in Kadapa district will go on stream in 2013," says Atomic
Energy Commission chairman Dr Anil Kakodkar. Once the project is ready it
will supply uranium to various plants in the country.
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India has already inspected the proposed
site at Pulivendula and if things go as planned, the reactor will be ready in the
next five years. Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy has already instructed
GENCO to take up the project along with NPCIL.
The Sate government is ready to bear 50 per cent of the total cost of the
nuclear reactor near Pulivendula. The plant will add 2000 megawatt of power
to the national grid.
Somalsila Protection Committee leader Jakka Venkaiah said the proposed
nuclear plant will turn Nellore district dry. "The government should not go in
for political considerations. Already the Somasila reservoir is tapped to its
full capacity by supplying drinking water to Chennai through Telugu Ganga.
Any deviation of water will have a severe impact on the ecology of Nellore
district," he said.
The Central government wants to generate 20,000 mw of nuclear energy by
2020 and AP is all set to contribute 10 per cent of it. Andhra Pradesh has a
stalled capacity of 8000 mw of power generation by all means. "Though new
projects are going to be added next year, there's nothing like nuclear energy,
which is pollution-free and clean. Moreover, a small quantity of nuclear fuel
is required to generate large quantities of nuclear power. Electricity will
become cheaper and affordable if we generate nuclear power," said
environment scientist ChV Subbaiah.
Swine flu: What explains sudden spurt in H1N1 human influenza deaths in India
By Syed Akbar
Hyderabad, Aug 10: Scientists and health experts are baffled over the sudden swine flu deaths in the country, even as the National Institute of Virology has clarified that the novel H1N1 virus that causes human influenza has not mutated in India to become more aggressive.
Swine flu has been in existence in the country for the past five months without any fatalities. But in the last one week there have been six deaths, forcing scientists and health experts to think whether the virus had mutated in the country to take a virulent form. Some believe that the novel H1N1 virus is now in the second
phase of manifestation as the human influenza viruses normally do. The Spanish flu virus did the same in early 19th century killing millions of people worldwide.
"We have been monitoring the virus from different human samples. But so far we have not found any mutation or change in the virus. The virus currently present in the country is the same as found in Mexico, USA and other parts of the world," Dr Akhilesh C Mishra, director of NIV, Pune, told this correspondent.
Asked about the sudden swine flu deaths in the last one week, Dr Mishra attributed it to the "wide profiling system" now adopted by health authorities. "Earlier, we used to screen only those coming from other countries. Now we are screening the local public too. This has led to a sudden spurt in the number of cases.
And this explains the deaths too," he clarified.
But senior geneticist Dr M Khaja emphasises the need for a relook at the virus. "All through the history the influenza virus has been mutating. Even the present novel H1N1 virus is a mutant one. There are chances of it mutating further in a country like India with vast population. Swine flu virus is capable of leading to
secondary infection, both viral and bacterial," he said.
Even as local scientists differ on whether the virus has mutated or turned aggressive since temperatures have gone down because of monsoon, American researchers have unravelled the mechanism the human influenza
virus adopts to kill its host.
Swine flu virus is capable of binding deeper into the cells of lungs and stomach, unlike other influenza viruses. "There are slight differences in the way different flu proteins bind to receptors in lungs. Since the swine flu virus binds deeper in the lung's trachea, bronchi and bronchioles, it causes breathing problems,
which ultimately lead to death. The virus is also capable of replicating faster and causing more damage than other influenza viruses. Different patients react differently to the virus. This explains the death of some swine flu patients and survival by others," said US-based senior researcher Dr G R Reddy.
While other influenza virus do not touch the stomach, the novel human influenza virus binds with the stomach lining and intestines. This causes diarrhoea, vomiting and nausea in some patients suffering from swine flu.
Hyderabad, Aug 10: Scientists and health experts are baffled over the sudden swine flu deaths in the country, even as the National Institute of Virology has clarified that the novel H1N1 virus that causes human influenza has not mutated in India to become more aggressive.
Swine flu has been in existence in the country for the past five months without any fatalities. But in the last one week there have been six deaths, forcing scientists and health experts to think whether the virus had mutated in the country to take a virulent form. Some believe that the novel H1N1 virus is now in the second
phase of manifestation as the human influenza viruses normally do. The Spanish flu virus did the same in early 19th century killing millions of people worldwide.
"We have been monitoring the virus from different human samples. But so far we have not found any mutation or change in the virus. The virus currently present in the country is the same as found in Mexico, USA and other parts of the world," Dr Akhilesh C Mishra, director of NIV, Pune, told this correspondent.
Asked about the sudden swine flu deaths in the last one week, Dr Mishra attributed it to the "wide profiling system" now adopted by health authorities. "Earlier, we used to screen only those coming from other countries. Now we are screening the local public too. This has led to a sudden spurt in the number of cases.
And this explains the deaths too," he clarified.
But senior geneticist Dr M Khaja emphasises the need for a relook at the virus. "All through the history the influenza virus has been mutating. Even the present novel H1N1 virus is a mutant one. There are chances of it mutating further in a country like India with vast population. Swine flu virus is capable of leading to
secondary infection, both viral and bacterial," he said.
Even as local scientists differ on whether the virus has mutated or turned aggressive since temperatures have gone down because of monsoon, American researchers have unravelled the mechanism the human influenza
virus adopts to kill its host.
Swine flu virus is capable of binding deeper into the cells of lungs and stomach, unlike other influenza viruses. "There are slight differences in the way different flu proteins bind to receptors in lungs. Since the swine flu virus binds deeper in the lung's trachea, bronchi and bronchioles, it causes breathing problems,
which ultimately lead to death. The virus is also capable of replicating faster and causing more damage than other influenza viruses. Different patients react differently to the virus. This explains the death of some swine flu patients and survival by others," said US-based senior researcher Dr G R Reddy.
While other influenza virus do not touch the stomach, the novel human influenza virus binds with the stomach lining and intestines. This causes diarrhoea, vomiting and nausea in some patients suffering from swine flu.
Andhra Pradesh nuclear fuel advantage
* Uranium mines have been proposed at Lambapur and Peddagattu in Nalgonda district way back in 2005. Work on these mines is yet to start.
* Environmental clearance has been obtained for Lambapur-Peddagattu project. One open cut and three small underground mines have been proposed in the belt.
* Work on the underground mine and mill at Tummalapalle in Kadapa district has been going on and the project is expected to be ready by 2013.
* Uranium and thorium reserves have been identified in Nalgonda, Kadapa and Mahbubnagar districts. Further reconnaissance studies have to be taken up.
* Andhra Pradesh has the advantage of having nuclear reserves and processing units in the form of Nuclear Fuel Complex and the proposed mill at Tummalapalle. It has a heavy water plant in Khammam district. The Atomic Minerals Directorate, which conducts research on atomic mineral reserves, is also located in
Hyderabad.
* Environmental clearance has been obtained for Lambapur-Peddagattu project. One open cut and three small underground mines have been proposed in the belt.
* Work on the underground mine and mill at Tummalapalle in Kadapa district has been going on and the project is expected to be ready by 2013.
* Uranium and thorium reserves have been identified in Nalgonda, Kadapa and Mahbubnagar districts. Further reconnaissance studies have to be taken up.
* Andhra Pradesh has the advantage of having nuclear reserves and processing units in the form of Nuclear Fuel Complex and the proposed mill at Tummalapalle. It has a heavy water plant in Khammam district. The Atomic Minerals Directorate, which conducts research on atomic mineral reserves, is also located in
Hyderabad.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Beware! Hair dye may induce jaundice
By Syed Akbar
Hyderabad, Aug 6: City health experts have come across a rare case of a woman developing jaundice after using a hair dye.
The 33-year-old woman, otherwise healthy, developed skin lesions and hepatitis (jaundice)two days after she used a new hair dye. She had abnormal liver profile after she used the dye.
Doctors at the city-based Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, who treated the woman, found that she had acute hepatitis. Further study by the AIG team led by Dr D Nageshwar Reddy revealed that she had developed drug-induced jaundice, which is quite a rare case in medical history.
Hair dye contains various mutagenic (that bring change in genetic setup) and carcinogenic (cancer-causing)chemicals and is examined as a risk factor for various malignancies. Though hair dye causes skin problems in some persons, it is rare that it induces jaundice.
--------------------------
THE FACTS ABOUT HAIR DYE
Hair dyes are of two types: Those made from natural materials and those prepared from chemicals. Hair dye containing natural material is comparatively harmless, though it may cause complications in certain cases.
Hair dye contains chemicals that damage the hair structure and scalp.
Hair dye contains substances that can bring about change in the genetic make-up
(mutations) or cause cancer (carcinogenic).
Hair dye generally causes contact dermatitis. Commonly available hair dyes contain
chemicals like Toluene-2, 5-diamine, resorcin, cetearyl alcohol and polyethylene glycol among others.
Chemicals present in the hair dye can be absorbed into the body through a wound, damaged skin or by aspiration of the spray during dyeing.
According to studies, about five per cent of permanent hair dyes users develop allergy. But only in rare cases the problem becomes severe.
It is better to undergo allergy sensitivity test every time.
Do not change the hair dye brand frequently. If you change, under allergy sensitivity patch test.
Women have sensitive skin than men. So women will have to be extra careful about the
sensitivity test.
Some of the precautions include applying hair dye for a few minutes without leaving it for longer periods; wearing gloves to protect the tender skin of palms; washing of hair after dyeing; and using of single hair dye without mixing different hair dyes.
------------------------------
"Hair dye-induced hepatitis is a rare condition. There is only one case of hair
dye-induced hepatitis reported in the literature," Dr Nageshwar Reddy said.
The AIG team conducted a number of tests to rule out various possibilities and finally arrived at a decision that the woman had developed jaundice because of the hair dye. "Because the patient had an allergic reaction, lymphocyte activation test was performed to study if the hair dye in question induced immune-mediated drug reaction leading to acute hepatitis," he said.
Results obtained in in vitro lymphocyte activity experiment strongly suggest that hair dye causes immune-mediated drug reaction in hypersensitive individuals.
Hair dye is a well-recognised cause of contact dermatitis. Routinely used hair dyes
contain multiple components viz Toluene-2, 5-diamine, resorcin, cetearyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, etc. Chemicals of the hair dye can be absorbed into the body through a wound, damaged skin or by aspiration of the spray during dyeing.
The pathogenesis of drug-induced hepatotoxicity usually involves either the parent drug or its metabolite, which affects the hepatocytes directly or elicits an immune response, the AIG team noted in its study.
"The chronological course of the patient, allergic skin manifestations and in vitro
lymphocyte reactivity to hair dye supported hair dye-induced immune-mediated hepatitis. Liver biopsy was not performed as investigations supported
diagnosis and her liver functions improved after two weeks of cessation of hair dye."
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Swine flu: India to have its own human influenza H1N1 vaccine by December 09
Syed Akbar
Hyderabad, Aug 4: The Indian Council of Medical Research has swung into action following the first ever swine flu death in the country by hastening its plans to introduce by November-end an indigenously developed vaccine to contain novel human influenza virus.
India's first human influenza virus vaccine developed locally will be ready in about 100 days for phase-1 or phase-2 human trials to test its efficacy on the local population. The ICMR has invited letters of intent from research agencies
and major hospitals to carry out H1N1 or swine flu vaccine trials in the country on human beings.
"There's a necessity for development of an indigenous vaccine that suits the local population. Other countries including the USA are also busy developing similar vaccines. The USA too plans to introduce the vaccine before winter sets in there," senior scientist Dr MN Khaja told this correspondent.
Presently seasonal influenza vaccine is available in India but it does not give protection against the novel human influenza vaccine that claimed hundreds of lives world-wide. However, the new vaccine will not be a replacement to seasonal flu problems. Both the new vaccine as well as the existing seasonal flu vaccines will be available in the market.
High on the priority list of ICMR for the new vaccine trials are pregnant women, ayahs looking after children below six months, people between six months and 24 years of age, and those with health conditions associated with higher
risk of medical complications from flu.
The ICMR has received action plans for different types of vaccines like killed inactivated, live attenuated, and vaccine developed from virus like particles. Some of these vaccines are likely to be available for human trials by November/December, according to senior scientist Dr Harpreet Kaur of ICMR.
During the trials ICMR team will evaluate safety, immunogenicity and tolerability of the vaccine(s). The ICMR has fixed August 17 as the deadline for receipt of LoI from research groups and institutions.
Hyderabad, Aug 4: The Indian Council of Medical Research has swung into action following the first ever swine flu death in the country by hastening its plans to introduce by November-end an indigenously developed vaccine to contain novel human influenza virus.
India's first human influenza virus vaccine developed locally will be ready in about 100 days for phase-1 or phase-2 human trials to test its efficacy on the local population. The ICMR has invited letters of intent from research agencies
and major hospitals to carry out H1N1 or swine flu vaccine trials in the country on human beings.
"There's a necessity for development of an indigenous vaccine that suits the local population. Other countries including the USA are also busy developing similar vaccines. The USA too plans to introduce the vaccine before winter sets in there," senior scientist Dr MN Khaja told this correspondent.
Presently seasonal influenza vaccine is available in India but it does not give protection against the novel human influenza vaccine that claimed hundreds of lives world-wide. However, the new vaccine will not be a replacement to seasonal flu problems. Both the new vaccine as well as the existing seasonal flu vaccines will be available in the market.
High on the priority list of ICMR for the new vaccine trials are pregnant women, ayahs looking after children below six months, people between six months and 24 years of age, and those with health conditions associated with higher
risk of medical complications from flu.
The ICMR has received action plans for different types of vaccines like killed inactivated, live attenuated, and vaccine developed from virus like particles. Some of these vaccines are likely to be available for human trials by November/December, according to senior scientist Dr Harpreet Kaur of ICMR.
During the trials ICMR team will evaluate safety, immunogenicity and tolerability of the vaccine(s). The ICMR has fixed August 17 as the deadline for receipt of LoI from research groups and institutions.
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