[condor]

Originally Posted by Samurai

So, what is this thing, some kind of vaccine made by the lowest bidder?

Form another perspective, one should be happy that the rep's came home !

We all know about Polio immunization efforts. While the govt spends enough money to make available the medicines, it's the rep's who are appointed to deliver the dosage who often dont put in the efforts. On one hand, the public goes to pvt hospitals. On the other hand, the rep's are often looking for short-cuts, and do their job on paper. Where do the supplied drops end up is any body's guess. (I hope a good part of it reaches the pvt hospitals at least in that way preventing wastage of the vaccines).

[Samurai]

Often times government conducts programs because somebody wants to make money. Is there a Filariasis/Elephantiasis contagion in Udupi now? Should I take similar vaccine after buying from the pharmacy. That is my real concern.

While I agree with the process, I don't want to take a medicine handed out by government. It could be just white powder.

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Is there a Filariasis/Elephantiasis contagion in Udupi now? Should I take similar vaccine after buying from the pharmacy. That is my real concern.

Distribution of endemic zones for filariasis in India shown in the pic below. The NVBDCP recommends an annual single dose of DEC & Albendazole as a preventive medication. You could choose to buy the same medicines from a trusted chemist, but do have it anyway, now that you know what drug to buy, and at what dosage to consume. I guess a lot of us do suffer from a trust deficit when it comes to consuming drugs supplied by the GoI free of cost!

[funkmeister]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Often times government conducts programs because somebody wants to make money. Is there a Filariasis/Elephantiasis contagion in Udupi now? Should I take similar vaccine after buying from the pharmacy. That is my real concern.

While I agree with the process, I don't want to take a medicine handed out by government. It could be just white powder.

The drug regimen is being supplied house to house by the Manipal University Nursing Department students under the supervision of the university over here in Manipal. Hence i dont see an issue with the drugs provided being under quality or white powder stuff.

[BoneCollector]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Today around 11AM (at Manipal), my door bell rang and I found two health workers (a.k.a girls with lab coat) at the door.

They asked whether I have taken medicine for Filariasis/Elephantiasis (Elephant Leg Disease). Obviously I hadn't, didn't know there was a contagion.

So the girls handed out 4 tablets, and asked me to take all 4 of them right after dinner. Now, like any sensible person living in India, I don't trust the government. Especially when it comes to my health.

So, what is this thing, some kind of vaccine made by the lowest bidder?

These drugs will not be only white powder as they are from the pharmacy wing of KH.We also used to consume it once a year when it was supplied by the Manipal University.As far as I remember,Udupi does fall in endemic zone for it so better to take it.If you don't trust the source,take it from a chemist shop.

[Samurai]

Ah, so this is not a government distributed drug. That changes things.

BTW, is this a new initiative? I am not new to the area, still this is the first I am encountering this vaccine being distributed. I remember seeing Elephantiasis patients back in the 70s in Udupi. None after that though.

[lambuhere1]

Need a bit of advice on a peculiar scenerio

Wifey has lost approx 4 kgs within 3 months. Shes hale and healthy otherwise. Was wondering what could have resulted in the weight loss ?

Anything in particular we need to check.

No history of Thyroid, Diabetes, etc within the family or self.

Kind guidance is highly appreciated.

[BoneCollector]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Ah, so this is not a government distributed drug. That changes things.

BTW, is this a new initiative? I am not new to the area, still this is the first I am encountering this vaccine being distributed. I remember seeing Elephantiasis patients back in the 70s in Udupi. None after that though.

Not a new initiative I guess,saw it from 1999 onwards till 2008.I feel that because of this,now one doesn't see cases of elephantiasis.

[SILVERWOOD]

Originally Posted by lambuhere1

Wifey has lost approx 4 kgs within 3 months. Shes hale and healthy otherwise. Was wondering what could have resulted in the weight loss ?

Abnormal weight loss could be because of multiple reasons.Has she noticed any unusual symptoms in these last 3 months.???

Clinically important weight loss can be defined as the loss of 5% of the usual body weight over a period of 6 to 12 months, especially when progressive.

Waseem.

[Deep Blue]

Originally Posted by funkmeister

The drug regimen is being supplied house to house by the Manipal University Nursing Department students under the supervision of the university over here in Manipal. Hence i dont see an issue with the drugs provided being under quality or white powder stuff.

Originally Posted by BoneCollector

These drugs will not be only white powder as they are from the pharmacy wing of KH.

Originally Posted by Samurai

Ah, so this is not a government distributed drug. That changes things.

BTW, is this a new initiative? I am not new to the area, still this is the first I am encountering this vaccine being distributed. I remember seeing Elephantiasis patients back in the 70s in Udupi. None after that though.

The drugs are NOT, I repeat NOT manufactured in the pharmacy manufacturing wing of Kasturba Hospital. They are provided by the Government. The dept.s of community health in the medical and nursing college are probably roped in for distribution and surveillance of the program in Manipal and its immediate surroundings. The pharmacy manufacturing wing in KH does not have facilities to produce tablets. It only produces some liquid antiseptics, saline solutions and varying dilutions of few other liquid medicines. Recently, I hear even this has been stopped.

As to the quality of the medicines provided, it is anybody's guess. This will be the same stuff that is called generic medicines in govt hospitals pharmacies bought in bulk at cheap rates. If you dont believe in them, you can always get it from a private pharmacy.

If the whole community consumes the drug, it would help in reducing the human hosts for the microfilaria and thus hopefully make our area non-endemic.

This is not new, If I remember correctly, I have received it about twice before. I live in Udupi. The tablets are given at home by health workers who are not from the KMC. I am also provided tablets at the hospital.My son also got his tablets from his school.

Earlier, for the pulse polio program, health workers would come house to house the next day to check and ensure whether under five children have received the oral polio vaccine.

Sometimes at least our govts work!

[funkmeister]

Originally Posted by Deep Blue

The drugs are NOT, I repeat NOT manufactured in the pharmacy manufacturing wing of Kasturba Hospital. They are provided by the Government. The dept.s of community health in the medical and nursing college are probably roped in for distribution and surveillance of the program in Manipal and its immediate surroundings. The pharmacy manufacturing wing in KH does not have facilities to produce tablets. It only produces some liquid antiseptics, saline solutions and varying dilutions of few other liquid medicines. Recently, I hear even this has been stopped.

As to the quality of the medicines provided, it is anybody's guess. This will be the same stuff that is called generic medicines in govt hospitals pharmacies bought in bulk at cheap rates. If you dont believe in them, you can always get it from a private pharmacy.

If the whole community consumes the drug, it would help in reducing the human hosts for the microfilaria and thus hopefully make our area non-endemic.

This is not new, If I remember correctly, I have received it about twice before. I live in Udupi. The tablets are given at home by health workers who are not from the KMC. I am also provided tablets at the hospital.My son also got his tablets from his school.

Earlier, for the pulse polio program, health workers would come house to house the next day to check and ensure whether under five children have received the oral polio vaccine.

Sometimes at least our govts work!

Originally Posted by Samurai

Ah, so this is not a government distributed drug. That changes things.

BTW, is this a new initiative? I am not new to the area, still this is the first I am encountering this vaccine being distributed. I remember seeing Elephantiasis patients back in the 70s in Udupi. None after that though.

Yes, the drugs are supplied by the Govt. of India. As for the quality of the drugs which are supplied by the govt- these are in the same line of drug provision by the govt for other diseases like anti malarial drugs, DOTS therapy drugs for TB, Anti retroviral therapy drugs for HIV, Multi Drug Therapy for leprosy etc. Quality of the drugs is not something which anyone can vouch for. But if u do see the above mentioned drug regimens, they are the sole reason why the above mentioned diseases are controlled or the no. of cases have been brought dow

[BoneCollector]

Originally Posted by Deep Blue

The drugs are NOT, I repeat NOT manufactured in the pharmacy manufacturing wing of Kasturba Hospital. They are provided by the Government. The dept.s of community health in the medical and nursing college are probably roped in for distribution and surveillance of the program in Manipal and its immediate surroundings. The pharmacy manufacturing wing in KH does not have facilities to produce tablets. It only produces some liquid antiseptics, saline solutions and varying dilutions of few other liquid medicines. Recently, I hear even this has been stopped.

Thanks a lot sir,my bad,I was under wrong notion. :-)

[Deep Blue]

Originally Posted by BoneCollector

Thanks a lot sir,my bad,I was under wrong notion. :-)

That wing was stuffed in a corner of the hospital that you never know what goes on there
and enough of that "sir" stuff

Aaah! I am going OT.

[condor]

Originally Posted by funkmeister

Quality of the drugs is not something which anyone can vouch for

Actually, that is not the case. After spending a few years in the Public / Primary Health care system, my wife says that you cant apply the same rule to all medicines supplied by the Govt. Some drugs may not be very effective / may be sub-standard. But for others, like for TB, - the medicines from the Govt are amongst the best.

[lambuhere1]

Originally Posted by SILVERWOOD

Abnormal weight loss could be because of multiple reasons.Has she noticed any unusual symptoms in these last 3 months.???
Waseem.

Waseem

Thanks for your inputs. No unsual symptons noticed in here.

What has been observed is that in the new job profile, the levels of stress has increased. It might be one reason. But stress reducing your weight is something new to me.