Union Health Minister Dr Anbumani Ramdoss talked to Executive Editor Shankar Aiyar and Special Correspondent Neeraj Mishra on the avian flu scare and a host of other issues immediately after a cabinet meeting in which various ministers voiced concerns about culling of birds and huge losses to farmers and the poultry industry. Excerpts: Q: Have you had chicken lately?
A: Yes. Me and my family have had chicken this week. It is safe to eat it if it is cooked for 20 minutes in 70 degree centigrade. In fact, Indian style of cooking is the safest because we usually cook it for long at over 100 degrees. Q: Then what is the ground situation now? Is the scare real?
A: Tests were carried out on five patients of whom four tested negative and more intense tests were being conducted on the fifth one.
But I am assured that there is very little likelihood of him testing positive. The scare is real and we have to take every precaution to ensure that it does not transmit to humans. Q: The response to the crisis was quick. How come you were so well prepared?
A: We have been preparing for any eventuality for the past one-and-a-half years. I have been having regular briefings from my team of secretary, health, directors of NICD and NIV. The cabinet has been briefed regularly about the situation from the very first time the rumours surfaced in late 2003. After the UPA assumed power, we formed rapid reaction teams who survey suspected areas and report back. We also have adequate stocks of Tamiflu whose over-the-counter sales have been prohibited so that stocks can be rushed to wherever they are required. The culling is also being done scientifically though initially some poultries did it unscientifically on their own. Q: What assurance can you give the country and how long do they have to be vigilant?
A: Things are under control. It may take between three to six months for the situation to improve. We are being careful and though there has been a loss to the poultry industry as lakhs of chicken have had to be culled, our stand is that no human life should be lost. Q: Moving away from chicken flu, you have been criticised for making the "Indian rate of metabolism" statement in Parliament. Are you defending multinational pharma companies and resisting a worldwide ban on Nimuslide and analgin?
A: There is no question of siding with MNC pharma companies. I was only trying to explain that different races and different age groups can have varied rates of metabolism. They can absorb and burn medicines differently. Nimuslide is not banned worldwide and it is also our stand in the courts where a case is on about banning it in India. Q: Do you have any empirical data to suggest that banning cigarettes on screen will help guide the youth?
A: I have tonnes of it, both national and international. We examined how on screen image of heroes plays upon the minds of youth and they attempt to follow it. Smoking is not a healthy habit and it is my social duty to prevent our youth from getting hooked. Q: Is the film industry convinced of your arguments? Amir Khan had written to you about it.
A: The film industry is convinced that we mean well and that we have a social responsibility. I am not against a historical character like Churchil or someone else smoking on screen but we have to be careful about our heroes depicting it as style and impressing upon youngsters to follow suit. Q: Is the Ramdev controversy over and buried?
A: One of the two samples that Brinda Karat had sent to me contained human DNA and that I have also stated that in Parliament. I firmly believe that Ramdev is doing a good job with the Pranayam and Yoga and is spreading the message of good health. But people have to make their own decision about the medicine they want to take. Q: Do you find time for Tamil Nadu?
A: Yes, it is firmly on my radar and I spend most of my weekends in my constituency. As the union health minister, I interact with all state health ministers and have good relations but because of an unsympathetic government in Tamil Nadu, we have not been able to do as much as we would like to. I assure you though in two months time, the results will be out in the state and I will prove my point.
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