AIG developing vaccine for Gastro MALToma

Twenty eight-year-old medico S Papi Reddy became a victim of a rare disease that so far has no mention in the Indian medical records. The disease reduced him to a mere 19 kg and forced him to give up his studies.

But now, Reddy has regained his weight to 35 kg and has even resumed his studies, thanks to the free treatment given by the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG) here in Hyderabad.

Papi Reddy from Prakasam district had been suffering from acute stomach pain and was diagnosed with Gastro MALToma (Mucosa-Associated Lymphatic Tissue Lymphomas), an early stage of cancer caused by H Pylori bacteria. This kind of bacteria is widely prevalent in the rural areas because of unhygienic environment.

According to D Nageshwar Reddy, chief of gastroenterology at AIG, 70 per cent to 80 per cent of the people in rural areas are affected by this bacteria. "However, not all of them are affected by this disease," he added.

The institute, bore an expenditure to the tune of Rs 9 lakh for Papi Reddy's treatment. If diagnosed early, the treatment would have cost around Rs 40,000. AIG is now working on developing a vaccine for this purpose.

Under the Asian Healthcare Foundation, a charity wing of AIG, the institute has decided to give scholarships to five medicos every year.

"Meritorious students coming from economically backward sections will be sanctioned an assistance of Rs 1 lakh per year to pursue their studies,"Nageshwar Reddy said.

The foundation has also launched a project under which mobile vans will be touring rural areas across the state to provide treatment to the poor.