Comments on: Cameroon's diseased children http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/06/16/cameroons-diseased-children/ Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:13:33 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Nancy http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/06/16/cameroons-diseased-children/#comment-2062 Nancy Thu, 03 Jul 2008 04:10:38 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=64#comment-2062 Dr. Sanjay Gupta, While in Cameroon, did you check on the situation with the sulfuric acid gases that come out of some of the lakes and kill people and animals? Do you remember a few years ago (1998?) when thousands were killed during the night from the gas that comes out of the lake? A good refresher of this on-going natural disaster that has probably been going on for hundreds/thousands of years can be read in a 2003 article in the Smithsonian magazine. A pipe was placed by a U.S. organization to help the gas vent out slowly and safely, but is it still in place and really working? The caretaker of the pipe is a local man who lost his family in the last disaster. Doc, we need someone to report on this story. Nancy Georgia Dr. Sanjay Gupta,

While in Cameroon, did you check on the situation with the sulfuric acid gases that come out of some of the lakes and kill people and animals?
Do you remember a few years ago (1998?) when thousands were killed during the night from the gas that comes out of the lake? A good refresher of this on-going natural disaster that has probably been going on for hundreds/thousands of years can be read in a 2003 article in the Smithsonian magazine. A pipe was placed by a U.S. organization to help the gas vent out slowly and safely, but is it still in place and really working? The caretaker of the pipe is a local man who lost his family in the last disaster. Doc, we need someone to report on this story.

Nancy
Georgia

]]> By: Anon MD http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/06/16/cameroons-diseased-children/#comment-1869 Anon MD Mon, 23 Jun 2008 05:48:42 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=64#comment-1869 Also in response to Dr. Fultang, If you read the article carefully, it's apparent that none of the scientists actually believes that the diseases are caused by witchcraft, and rather they are trying to find out what bacterium is the actual cause as well as treating the ulcers quite sensibly with antibiotics. In addition, they are looking for antibiotic properties in the local plants that have traditionally been used to treat the illness with some reported efficacy--quite a rational thing to do [and I've worked in (Western-style, rigorous, scientifically-driven) drug development in both small and large pharma]. I agree with Mary Beth that it is very important to understand what the villagers believe about the disease--only by taking a medical history in a context that they understand will one get any useful information regarding onset, symptoms, course, etc. It is then up to the scientist to separate fact from superstition, develop an effective treatment, and somehow convince the villagers to actually accept the treatment. By showing respect for their beliefs and thus developing trust, one will be able to more easily accomplish one's goals. Also in response to Dr. Fultang,
If you read the article carefully, it's apparent that none of the scientists actually believes that the diseases are caused by witchcraft, and rather they are trying to find out what bacterium is the actual cause as well as treating the ulcers quite sensibly with antibiotics. In addition, they are looking for antibiotic properties in the local plants that have traditionally been used to treat the illness with some reported efficacy–quite a rational thing to do [and I've worked in (Western-style, rigorous, scientifically-driven) drug development in both small and large pharma].

I agree with Mary Beth that it is very important to understand what the villagers believe about the disease–only by taking a medical history in a context that they understand will one get any useful information regarding onset, symptoms, course, etc. It is then up to the scientist to separate fact from superstition, develop an effective treatment, and somehow convince the villagers to actually accept the treatment. By showing respect for their beliefs and thus developing trust, one will be able to more easily accomplish one's goals.

]]> By: Mary Beth Medford http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/06/16/cameroons-diseased-children/#comment-1858 Mary Beth Medford Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:55:43 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=64#comment-1858 This is in response to the Dr. Fultang, As a nurse, I realize how important it is to understand the feelings and beliefs of people, in order to help them get well. The witchcraft stories are important to recognize and acknowledge, so the proper tools can be used to help people. I appreciate the researchers for paying attention to what the local people believe, and by not ignoring their beliefs, hopefully this disease can become extinct. This is in response to the Dr. Fultang,
As a nurse, I realize how important it is to understand the feelings and beliefs of people, in order to help them get well. The witchcraft stories are important to recognize and acknowledge, so the proper tools can be used to help people. I appreciate the researchers for paying attention to what the local people believe, and by not ignoring their beliefs, hopefully this disease can become extinct.

]]> By: GF http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/06/16/cameroons-diseased-children/#comment-1822 GF Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:54:02 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=64#comment-1822 It's astonishing to read about such horrific diseases that exist in these jungles. I for one couldn't bring myself to visit for fear of catching something. It's astonishing to read about such horrific diseases that exist in these jungles. I for one couldn't bring myself to visit for fear of catching something.

]]> By: Lauren R., USA http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/06/16/cameroons-diseased-children/#comment-1818 Lauren R., USA Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:03:17 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=64#comment-1818 How terrible for those children. I'm guessing that beliefs like that had some kind of origin hundreds or even thousands of years ago with the need to keep the sick away from the healthy for the greater good; the witchcraft part probably comes from the need to reduce the urge to assist their own. But how terrible that this stupid ideology still persists today. Far from doing any greater good, this kind of warped thinking in a modern society tends to spread like its own disease, infecting all, with little hope of eventual remission. How terrible for those children. I'm guessing that beliefs like that had some kind of origin hundreds or even thousands of years ago with the need to keep the sick away from the healthy for the greater good; the witchcraft part probably comes from the need to reduce the urge to assist their own. But how terrible that this stupid ideology still persists today. Far from doing any greater good, this kind of warped thinking in a modern society tends to spread like its own disease, infecting all, with little hope of eventual remission.

]]> By: Dr.Paulinus C Fultang http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/06/16/cameroons-diseased-children/#comment-1811 Dr.Paulinus C Fultang Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:49:45 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=64#comment-1811 DR.Gupta, It is rather unfortunate that your report on the issue relating to sick children in Cameroon are not based on any researched scientific finding but on stories of witchcraft.It degrading of your status to publish issues based on local circulated rumours as though they were authenticated by research.You need to review your article. Thanks Dr.PC Fultang DR.Gupta,
It is rather unfortunate that your report on the issue relating to sick children in Cameroon are not based on any researched scientific finding but on stories of witchcraft.It degrading of your status to publish issues based on local circulated rumours as though they were authenticated by research.You need to review your article.
Thanks
Dr.PC Fultang

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