Our Letter to Editor - NEJM

I am reproducing our Letter to Editor sent to NEJM in response to a perspective article. This wasn't accepted by the journal for publication:-

Issues with accelerating the availability of medical therapies 

In the perspective article Borio et al. (1) argue for scientifically sound and globally acceptable protocols expediting evaluation of investigational therapies during public health emergencies. We believe that such protocols should also address questions related to possible surge in demand for expanded-access of investigational therapies proved to be statistically more effective in accelerated trials. Will these investigational therapies found to be effective in such trials get the permission for mass production to make them available to the patients outside controlled trials? If yes, will the product developers be able to mass produce during the public health emergency? If no, how these protocols would be justified? Further the ramifications of inability to provide therapies proved to be effective in such trials to dying patients outside controlled trials need to be kept in mind. In addition, it is important to be extra cautious and vigilant in framing such protocols having potential of being misused to rapidly test & try multiple investigational therapies during public health emergencies and create more mistrust among already suffering population.

References- 1. Borio L, Cox E, Lurie N. Combating emerging threats - Accelerating the availability of medical therapies. N Engl J Med 2015;373:993-5.

Because 'The BMJ' did not publish my 'rapid response' without explanation

In response to an article 'Doctors and medical students in India should stop wearing white coats' written by Dr. Edmond Fernandes and published in 'The BMJ' on 21 July 2015, I wrote a short 'rapid response' on 22 July 2015 which 'The BMJ' has not yet published (The BMJ usually publishes all rapid responses within 24 hours). The rapid responses submitted in response to this article after 22 July 2015 have already been published. I wrote an email to Sharon Davis (Letters Editor) but haven't yet received any response.

So I am reproducing my 'rapid response' below with the hope that I would be able to find answers to my questions. Also not sure what is objectionable and/or against The BMJ's rapid response policies in this short rapid response which led The BMJ to decide not to publish it?

"Dear Dr. Fernandes

Have you tried implementing this idea at your workplace (Yenepoya Medical College) before suggesting it to the whole of India? If yes, then would you mind sharing the results (specially change in infection rate if any) with 'The BMJ' readers?

In fact, in this news article (Mangaluru: Yenepoya Medical College embarks on Cleanliness Drive, http://www.bellevision.com/belle/index.php?action=topnews&type=11384), the healthcare professionals of Yenepoya Medical College are seen sweeping roads wearing white coats. I sincerely hope that your 'The BMJ" article would make your coworkers more informed about infection control and the role of white coat.

best wishes

Mahesh Devnani"

My Letter to HRD Minister reg. use of Devanagari script over Sindhi script to spread the message of Mother Language Day

From
Dr. Mahesh Devnani
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxx

To

Ms. Smriti Z Irani
Union Minister for Human Resource Development
Govt. of India
New Delhi

Sub: Use of Devanagari script over Sindhi script to spread the message of Mother Language Day

Dear Ms. Irani

The ‘International Mother Language Day’ is celebrated every year as proclaimed by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in November 1999 (30C/62). This year it was celebrated on Feb 21st, 2015.

On this occasion and keeping in view this year’s theme "Inclusion in and through education: Language counts" was related to HRD ministry, the ministry issued an infographic (attached) depicting the slogan “पहला भाव मातृभाव , पहली भाषा मातृभाषा" in 22 scheduled languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India. The infographic is available on HRD ministry's home webpage and is being widely distributed in social media. In the infographic, in addition to Hindi, the slogan is written in the respective scripts of 21 other languages after translation except for one language (to the best of my knowledge). It is ironic and unfortunate that for Sindhi language HRD Ministry chose Devanagari script over Sindhi script to spread the message of Mother Language Day. Not only the HRD Ministry used Devanagari script instead of Sindhi script, the words used in translation of slogan in Sindhi language are far from commonly used words by Sindhi community.

I do not want to make inferences but this shows HRD ministry in a bad light. I also hope that this is not a deliberate attempt to promote Devanagari script over Sindhi script.

I request that HRD ministry looks into the matter to rectify this and prevent such mistakes in future. I look forward to your response.

Thank you

Sincerely

Mahesh