AIDS Menace

HIV has come as a stealthy but lethal killer as AIDS is projected as the leading cause of death for Nepalis in the age group of 15-49 in the next decade. The WHO estimates that more than 34,000 people are living with AIDS at present in Nepal. Alarming as it may sound, HIV prevalence is increasing at a rapid rate among both sex workers and injecting drug users. This is not to give the impression that the rest of the population is safe or at a lower risk. In fact, it will not be an understatement if the general population of Nepal is called highly vulnerable to the spread of AIDS epidemic. Vulnerability can be both due to lack of education and awareness among the high-risk groups like sex workers and the poor and also because the smugness among the educated and upper class population. It is also that unsuspecting section of population, who consider themselves considerably risk-free, that is vulnerable. For example, 80% of young girls between 15-19 years do not know that people with HIV infection look healthy and 93% of sexually active women do not think that they are at risk. Vulnerability means that certain factors, or a combination of factors do not allow people to protect themselves. One main reason can be lack of knowledge. But then, there are also other factors at work such as gender inequality, stigma and outmodel beliefs. For instance, women in general find it difficult to ask their partners for safe sex and taboos do not allow them access to information and protective means.

A comprehensive strategy which addresses as aspects of the problems, is required to combat this scourge of a killer epidemic effectively. It is not only poverty or illiteracy or gender inequality which is responsible for ineffective prevention of the epidemic. Equally responsible are social stigmatisation of the AIDS victims and the taboo attached to the condition itself. As long as the acceptance that HIV/ AIDS has now entered the stage of a concentrated epidemic in Nepal does not register with all those who matter we cannot see much behaviour change forthcoming. AIDS will have to be accepted as any other epidemic that threatens our population and social stigma attached to the condition must be shed. If we are to promote safe behaviour among all sections of population, the right social environment has to be created.

Ayurvedic Treatment

THE Ayurvedic form of medical treatment has been popular in Nepal from ancient times. Though it is still practiced in different places, it is unfortunating that important literature regarding Ayurveda are languishing in dark corners. Experts in the fields fear that this ancient medical practice may fade into obsecurity because of such negligence to even valuable works of Ayurveda. "Chandra Nighantu", a complete compedium on the names and usage of herbs and their benefits along with drawings, is one such book which is lying useless in the shelves of the Singhadurbar Baidyakhana Development Committee. The handwritten book has priceless information regarding 800 herbs bound in Nepal as well as about some 200 minerals and animal organs with their medicinal properties and their usefulness. The book is a valuable source of Ayurvedic treatment methodology, practiced since time immemorial in this part of the world. Such a book could be of much benefit to the people in general who seek alternative medical treatment. Such a valuable and ancient book, which must have been published after long years of research and practice, should benefit the Ayurveda form of medical treatment and allow it to treat more people.

In a country like Nepal, where modern medical facilities are not available to a large number of people, traditional medicine, could contribute significantly in providing treatment for different disease. Furthermore, it has been proved that this Himalayan kingdom has a cache of herbs and plants which have much medicinal value. Ironically, even as the people don’t have access to allopathic medicine, natural medicines that could be within reach are being neglected and going to waste. As a time when pragmatically, the World Health Organisation is calling on all countries to adopt traditional and Ayurvedic treatment since allopathy is not affordable to all people, authorities here should also take measures to benefit from such a valuable Ayurvedic book like Chandra Nighantu. Like mentioned by the Director of the Singhdurbar Baidyakhana, Dr. Chandra Raj Sapkota, "The health sector in the country can derive a stream of benefits from this book which gives clues to Nepal’s traditional treatment methodology". The re-publication of this book through modern printing technology, should benefit the entire medical world and at the same time contribute significantly in keeping alive the ancient Aurvedic form of treatment that was prevalent in this country.