National aids meet to focus on motivating doctors

Around 50 city doctors will attend the third national conference of the AIDS Society of India (ASI) in Hyderabad from Friday.

Around 50 city doctors will attend the third national conference of the AIDS Society of India (ASI) in Hyderabad from Friday.

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The three-day event, which will see participation from doctors and researchers across India, will focus on newer approaches in HIV and discuss comprehensive ways of managing HIV.

The focus of this year’s conference is also providing motivation and increasing the tally of doctors who have been working full-time towards treating AIDS patients.

According to ASI data, India has around 22.7 lakh people who have either AIDS or HIV and only around 100 doctors engaged full-time in their treatment.

“It has been 25 years since the awareness on AIDS began in India. By organising a conference in Andhra Pradesh, one of the worst HIV affected states in India, we are looking at providing more information to the people to increase HIV care,” said Dr IS Gilada, secretary general, ASI. The conference will also look at cheaper medicines that are now available in India for HIV patients, he added.

Apart from discussions on AIDS, a quiz contest for college students in Hyderabad and an AIDS rally will also be organised to create awareness.

“It is important that people come forward and understand the importance of AIDS awareness and not pursue it as an untouchable disease,” said actor Rahul Roy, who was present at the press conference.