The quack accused of using an infected syringe on patients, causing at least three dozen of them including 21 HIV positive, to transmit the AIDS virus in Unnao district was arrested from a relative’s house on Wednesday.
Rajesh Yadav alias Rajendra, who faces charges including attempt to commit culpable homicide and practising without a licence, is in police custody and being questioned, SHO Bangermau Arun Prakash Singh told The Hindu .
As per initial investigation, Mr. Singh said Yadav admitted to using a common syringe on patients possibly because it saved costs but did not disclose if he was aware of its repercussions.
In Premganj, where he operated for the last several years, however, locals narrated how dismal health facilities had forced them to rely on his quick and cheap treatment. Located just off a railway crossing in Bangermau, a dusty, uneven road leads you to a Dalit basti.
In one of its thatched huts, lives Ragini (name changed), a Jatav widow. It’s been more than six months since she discovered that she was HIV infected, which was confirmed again in a recent screening camp held in the village.
“I have no clue. I would get treatment from him because I am helpless and poor. What did I know that it would cost me so dearly,” said Ragini, who works as a manual labourer.
For the past many years, Yadav played an important role in the lives of people living in Premganj, Chakmirpur and adjoining villages, offering easy and cheap treatment. He would almost daily visit Premganj on his bicycle and set up shop outside a Vedic school — Sri Krishna Bhushan Ved Vedang Vishakha — where he would treat more than 50 persons daily.
Left in the lurch: A person with HIV at her house in Premganj village in Unnao district.
Known charm
Patients lining up for an appointment with him resembled the winding queues outside ration shops, said Anuj Mishra, a local. “There was such a craze about him that people didn’t mind getting treated by him even on the road if they bumped into his bicycle somewhere.”
There was a reason why Yadav had gained the trust of locals — he was not only easily accessible and polite but offered full treatment for a mere ₹10 per session, earning him the nickname “Dus wala doctor.” The treatment was identical in most cases: administering an injection and giving three pudiyas (doses) of medicine.
“His typical treatment was to use the syringe, be it any illness; headache, stomach ache or fever. I think there is not a person left in the basti who did not the feel the prick of his injection,” said Chotelal.
Dinesh (name changed) was one of those who frequented Yadav to get minor colds and headaches treated. He finds it hard to believe that Yadav, who always provided him ready and cheap relief, could be the reason for his predicament — he was tested HIV positive in a recent screening camp.
“His medicine always provided quick benefits. Yes, the only issue was that he would use the same syringe multiple times. But we never imagined it would lead us here,” said Dinesh.
Most of the freshly diagnosed patients have been referred to the Kanpur Medical College for ART treatment.
Though the Bangermau community health centre is located within a kilometre of Premganj, locals preferred getting treated by Yadav. While the local councillor Izhar Khan attributed it to “general illiteracy,” locals said the corruption and poor facilities at the CHC deterred them from going there. Not only do they complain that medicines are not available and that only those with influence are treated properly, they alleged that free treatment at the government hospital was a sham.
Villagers recount tales of how Rajesh Yadav used a common syringe to inject gullible patients who contracted HIV.
Paltry fee
“The appointment ticket costs us one rupee but we end up paying ₹200-300 for medicines as the doctors almost always prescribe us expensive medicine instead of providing it for free at the hospital. Also, the medicines prescribed by them are available only in two chemist shops and nowhere else in Bangermau,” said Ajay Kumar, a B.Ed. student.
Ajay said when his uncle went to get injections to treat a dog bite, the hospital officials sent him back saying they were out of stock.
