USA Conference 2016: “Curing TB without Drugs” in India – Text of Dr. Raman Kakar’s Abstract
Dr. Raman Kakar’s research accepted for poster presentation at 20th Annual TB Conference 2016 USA.
CURING TUBERCULOSIS WITHOUT DRUGS
Kakar R. TB Control, District Tuberculosis Center, Civil General Hospital, Faridabad, Haryana, India.
BACKGROUND:
60 years ago, man discovered five primary anti-TB drugs. Traditionally, a new patient is treated with daily dose of four oral drugs. A Re-treatment case gets all five; including 60 Streptomycin injections (one daily for two months). India is Unique: Under thrice-weekly regimen, an Indian gets only 24 injections – 3 per week for 8 weeks. This controversial, drastic cut (60 to 24) is aggravated by sporadic vial-shortages! Central Govt. (GOI) controls drug-procurement. 10-month buffer stock at State-level is mandatory for optimal flow – to 600 vast districts. During 2011-14, GOI didn’t procure injections; ordered States to self-purchase, which asked districts; all didn’t buy urgently (lethargy, poverty).
METHODS:
1. National stock registers obtained under Right to Information Act show 4 million vials procured (2011-14) [as against 24.8 million during preceding 3 years].
2. Scrutiny of Govt. web-site, e-mail trails uncover crisis at national, state, district levels, which didn’t buy optimally!
3. Author heads one of India’s 2698 sub-district TB Units. An insider, he amassed evidence:
1. National stock registers obtained under Right to Information Act show 4 million vials procured (2011-14) [as against 24.8 million during preceding 3 years].
2. Scrutiny of Govt. web-site, e-mail trails uncover crisis at national, state, district levels, which didn’t buy optimally!
3. Author heads one of India’s 2698 sub-district TB Units. An insider, he amassed evidence:
- Depleted district stocks of Streptomycin; insufficient local purchase; No buffers, quality-testing.
- Statements from deprived patients, drug-providers.
- Revealing ‘minutes of meetings’.
- Dismal Haryana State Analysis Reports.
- Yet, no policy to encourage self-purchase by patients!
- Because ‘Reported’ cure-rates unchanged!
Calculation of ‘Retreatment patients versus vials procured’ prove:
RESULTS:
25% Re-treatment patients deprived of injections in district Faridabad; probably across India (2011-14).
CONCLUSION:
Inept governance impedes science-dispersal, thwarts global agendas; craves regulation. Or else, 2 Indians will continue to die every 3 minutes.