On December 5, 2023, the Department of Community Medicine, in collaboration with the NSS AIMS unit and ART Centre AIMS, NACO Mandya, hosted a guest lecture at Lecture Hall 1, AIMS, in commemoration of World AIDS Day observed on December 1, 2023.
The primary objective of the event was to enhance awareness among Phase I MBBS students regarding the transmission, early detection, and treatment of HIV infection and AIDS, emphasizing the theme “Let Communities Lead!!”
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Sunil Kumar D R, the esteemed chief guest, a seasoned public health professional with a wealth of experience spanning 17 years. His expertise covered various domains, including STI, HIV/AIDS, TB, COVID-19, Nutrition, Health Policy, and Public Health Research. Dr. Sunil Kumar had previously served as the Deputy Director of STI/HIV care & Surveillance at Karnataka Health Promotion Trust, with funding support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID, and NACO. Additionally, Mr. Ganesh Laxman, a Psychiatric Social Worker and counselor at the ART Center AIMS, shared insights on the significance of counseling and anti-retroviral therapy for patients.
The program yielded positive outcomes, with active student participation observed throughout the event. Students actively engaged with the resource persons, demonstrating enthusiasm for learning about the prevention and early diagnosis of HIV/AIDS.
A noteworthy commitment emerged as the students collectively pledged to disseminate information and work actively to eradicate the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. This collaborative initiative between the academic and healthcare communities resulted in a successful and impactful World AIDS Day event at AIMS.
