NRI scientist wants NACO chief to apologise
Jul 13, 2007 - 4:37:33 PM
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Saha, a researcher based in Columbus, Ohio, was appointed by the World Bank to investigate allegations of sub-standard HIV testing kits being distributed in India.
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By Sujoy Dhar,
[RxPG] Kolkata, July 13 - Indian American researcher Kunal Saha has demanded an apology from the chief of India's nodal AIDS body after the latter questioned his credibility as an investigator for a World Bank probe into HIV testing kits.
Saha has found in the probe that HIV testing medical kits supplied by India's National AIDS Control Organisation - were defective. But NACO director general K. Sujata Rao has reportedly said, 'This investigator has no credibility'.
Saha told IANS he had obtained the World Bank permission's to expose the scam of 'the bogus HIV testing kits supplied by NACO and used by hospitals across India'.
In a letter to Rao, he says: 'I am writing this letter seeking an unconditional apology for making the baseless and slanderous allegations against me, which has undoubtedly tarnished my professional as well as personal image before the public at large.'
The letter has been made available to IANS.
Saha is known for his crusade against the medical fraternity in India after his wife's death from alleged wrong treatment.
In the letter to Rao, he says: 'It has come to my notice that you have publicly expressed overtly caustic remarks about my professional integrity in relation to my role as a medical consultant in a recent World Bank investigation of complaints of corruption and fraud in the distribution of sub-standard/defective HIV-test kits in India.
'In an article entitled, 'HIV-testing centres using bad kits - researcher', which was published in the 12th July, 2007 issue of the Hindustan Times, you have made a categorical comment, 'This investigator has no credibility', in regard to my position with the investigation by the World Bank.
'I am a 'dual-citizen' of India and have been involved with the study of HIV/AIDS in top academic institutions across USA for the past more than two decades.
'I am also the founding-president of the 'People for Better Treatment' -, a humanitarian society established to help the defenceless victims of medical negligence and to promote better healthcare in India,' Saha writes.
He said his standing as a bona fide HIV/AIDS scientist would be evidently clear from his distinguished academic and research accomplishments.'
'It is truly regrettable to observe that in spite of holding the highest position in the government hierarchy of AIDS control in India, you did not hesitate to stoop down to this level and publicly charge a reputed international HIV scientist of Indian origin that he has 'no credibility'.
'Needless to say, I am deeply hurt with your scathing remarks about my scientific status and professional credibility,' he said.
Saha, a researcher based in Columbus, Ohio, was appointed by the World Bank to investigate allegations of sub-standard HIV testing kits being distributed in India.
Saha said he and other members of the World Bank team discovered that there was 'fraud' in distribution of HIV testing kits that has put Indian patients in serious danger of contracting AIDS from contaminated blood.
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