Mystery fever ?

I wasn't surprised while I was reading this about my hometown. Every time I go back home, I feel sorry for the the unhealthy conditions.

In the name of DEVELOPMENT, this small town, is a stinking garbage can these days!

Another incident from the outskirts of Chennai showed how grave the problem is. A two-and-a-half year old boy Dhaksinamurthy in Perunkalathur died of the mysterious fever recently. Residents feel that perennial sewage overflow in their locality had led to mosquitoes breeding which in turn has caused the spread of the disease.

After their repeated demands went unheeded, residents of Velu Nagar at Perunkalathur proposed to constitute ‘Velu Nagar Residents Association’ shortly to attend to their problems,’ said Mohammed Dastagir.

Third world diseases

The so called 'Third World' besides its poverty and other socio-economic issues has some diseases that the so called 'First World' doesn't have to worry about.

Mosquito borne diseases are an example. I have family members who have been affected by mosquito borne diseases. My dad had an attack of 'Filaria' and his leg is swollen ...for life, with no cure ! My brother recently had an attack of 'ChickunGunya' while in India on vacation.

The multinational drug companies are more concerned about finding cures for diseases that are common in places where they can make money. They will probably outsource the manufacturing of these drugs to the 'Third world' but will rarely attempt to invest money in 'Third World Diseases'.

The law makers of the 'Third World' would be more concerned about Switzerland ! The people in the meantime, will have to suck their thumb and wait for the planets to change positions.

The 'Third world' produces tons of scientists who move out and work for the Big Pharma ..while the local pharma companies are more interested in copying the popular medicines rather than invest in research. Bottom line is money again, easy money in this case.

It's a vicious cycle. Anyways, hopefully in the future, when the 'First World' becomes the 'Third World' and the 'Third' the 'First', things might change.

It might take another 100 years...who knows.

Until then, it's heartwarming to read stories like this.

Bill Gates and Mosquitoes

Photo courtesy: The WWW

When I was growing up in Madras, the mosquito menace wasn't as much. I remember the first days of the launch of 'Tortoise Mosquito Coils' !

Today, whenever I go home, I see hundreds of Mosquito products ! coils, mats, bats..etc.!

Today's mosquitoes in India I feel, are immune to all these chemicals. They continue to grow, patronized by sewerage created by the growing careless population and supported by a corrupted government that cares about nothing !!

My dad has filariasis thanks to mosquitoes. I am lucky I haven't got any disease ( so far ) due to mosquitoes.

A few years back when I went home, I remember even street dogs in Madras were scared about Chikungunya!!

Anyways, I was happy to read this news item about a NEW LASER to destroy mosquitoes. I hope it reaches the markets soon !

I was surprised to see that Mr.Bill Gates funded this project.

Hello, Industrialists in India, what's your answer?