In
January an international medical commission visited Bhopal. More than 4,000 have
now died as a result of the methyl isocyanate leak from the Union Carbide plant
producing the insecticide aldicarb. The independent group of doctors found
long-term ill-health in a substantial part of the population. They criticised
the withholding of information which could help victims, and health policies
which concentrated on hospital building rather than basic care. Eye and
breathing problems continue, as well as severe memory loss. The latter is often
unrecognised and does not entitle victims to compensation.
The Medical Commission found that while Indian doctors have
done a great deal of research, they have been prevented from publishing it,
initially because of pending court cases. This has made it impossible to chart
the effects of the gas, to assess the best forms of treatment, or even to give a
reliable figure of those badly affected. The 15 doctors said it was immoral to
do research on people and then to withhold results that could benefit them. They
urged the Bhopal health authorities to stop building hospitals and to move
towards more basic health care.
So far, only a tiny proportion of the US$470 million in
compensation, agreed between Union Carbide and the Indian Government, has been
paid to victims. It is expected to take another 20 years before all the claims
are heard. The impact on the community has been drastic, according to Talmiz
Ahmed of the Indian High Commission in London, who has visited the area.
BBC World Service, 12 January 1994.
[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 23, March 1994, page 10]