ANIIMS Observes World AIDS Day 2024 with CME on ‘Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Rights’

Sri Vijaya Puram, Dec 01: A Continuing Medical Education (CME) program commemorating World AIDS Day 2024 was organized by the Department of Community Medicine, ANIIMS under the theme ‘Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Rights.’ This impactful event aimed to raise awareness about the rights-based approach to health, emphasizing access to equitable HIV/AIDS care and creating a stigma-free society.
The CME was graced by Dr. Suja Antony, Director, ANIIMS & Director of Health Services, Medical Superintendent, GB Pant Hospital along with Program Officers from Directorate of Health Services, Faculty and students of ANIIMS. The panel of speakers represented various specialties, including Community Medicine, Psychiatry, Microbiology, General Medicine, and TB & Chest, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to combating HIV/AIDS.
The event commenced with keynote address by Dr. Arup Saha, Senior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, who elaborated on this year’s theme. Dr. Subrata Saha, Project Director, ANACS, delivered a comprehensive review of regional initiatives addressing HIV/AIDS in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The next session, led by Dr. Mitesh Behari, Consultant Psychiatrist, focused on the mental health challenges faced by HIV-affected communities. Dr. Snehaa K., Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, shared valuable insights into community-based HIV testing strategies.
Subsequent sessions explored technical aspects such as the latest Antiretroviral Therapy guidelines presented by Dr. Sivaram Appavoo, Consultant in General Medicine, and the complexities of managing HIV and TB co-infection, discussed by Dr. Natraj M., Associate Professor, Department of TB & Chest, ANIIMS. Each session included interactive Q&A discussions, creating an engaging platform for knowledge sharing and practical takeaways.
This year’s theme emphasized empowering individuals to demand their health rights while promoting a stigma-free and equitable healthcare environment. Such programs are pivotal in spreading awareness, encouraging early detection, and destigmatizing HIV/AIDS. By engaging diverse healthcare professionals and students, the CME reinforced the collective responsibility to eliminate AIDS as a public health threat.