This refers to the editorial “A changing enemy” (December 11). The fact that India is performing exceptionally well compared to other Asian countries such as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to curb AIDS is commendable. Recently, India set a milestone in the health sector by gaining the status of a polio-free nation. And now, the National AIDS Control Programme’s engagement with people working at grass roots level to eradicate AIDS is praiseworthy. That is an indictment to the fact that any mass-immunisation programme would only give the desired result if its implementation strategy is centred on decentralisation. The challenge now is the same for both AIDS and tuberculosis viruses, since they are on the evolution stage. It is expected that all existent drugs would soon become ineffective against these two viruses. Hence, India needs to keep up the work and divert adequate amount of funds towards research and development of effective medicines.
Deepak Sharma, Panchkula
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