National AIDS Policy
| Introduction Source of Infections in AIDS cases in India Advocacy and Social Mobilisation People Living With AIDS (PLWAs) Control of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Use of Condoms as a HIV/AIDS Prevention Measure Indigenous Systems of Medicine (ISM) |
Indigenous Systems of Medicine (ISM) In a scenario where anti-retroviral drugs are extremely expensive, there is a great need to look into the indigenous system of medicine like Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha apart from Homoeopathy. Some of the medicines in these systems have the potential of reducing the riral load in the body of the patient thus ensuring a healthier and longer life with the infection. The Government has sponsored research projects in Homoeopathic and Siddha sysetms of edicines and is receiving encouraging response. It will pursue a policy of sponsoring research in ISM and Homoeopathy for development of drugs which can serve the purpose of anti-retrovirals, if not for a total cure from the infection. At the same time it necessary to be vigilant against unscrupulous persons claiming to have invented a cure for HIV/AIDS by magic herbs. Any medicine or system of treatment which cannot stand the test of scrutiny by the professional organisations like the Ayurveda Council or the Homoeopathic Council cannot be accepted as a drug or a system of treatment in the country. The Drugs and Magic Remedies Act requires amendments to stringently deal with cases of unscrupulous persons taking advantage of the misery of HIV-infected persons and defrauding them of huge sums of money. A massive awareness campaign has also been launched to make people aware of the dangers of such medication by unqualified persons indulging in quackery. |