RGUHS to Start One Year Post-Graduate Fellowship Programme on HIV/AIDS

Karnataka is so highly prone to AIDS that the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) now thinks a one-year post-graduate fellowship programme on HIV/AIDS is desperately needed. The course is for doctors in both private and government hospitals.

The programme, approved by the university syndicate and academic council, will most likely begin next year. The university constituted a four-member committee to frame guidelines and curriculum.

Director of HIV/AIDS programme, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Ravi Kumar K L, who is working with RGUHS on this, told TOI that all four southern states are vulnerable to AIDS. "RGUHS feels the need for such a programme so that people have higher training in HIV medicines," he said.

HIV/AIDS is specialized area and some doctors have not studied it in depth. "With advances in research and newer drugs in the market, there is a need to train and update the doctors in HIV medicine," he said.

Kumar explained: "We're also looking at specialists willing to impart their knowledge during the programme. There is a need for monitoring and technical support from the hospitals."

Two colleges in India offer a similar programme. Government Thoracic and Chest Disease Hospital, Tambaram, near Chennai, offers a one-year special programme for students on campus. Christian Medical College, Vellore, has a contact fellowship programme, where the module is mailed to students and they undergo intensive training once in three months. "We're looking at offering both modules in our programme," Kumar said.

The committee will involve centres where specialized services for HIV/AIDS are available. The programme will be linked to the Revised National Tuberculosis Controlling Programme (RNTCP). "About 70% HIV infected persons are prone to tuberculosis. There is a need to screen and treat them," he said. The module, which will have information about sexually transmitted infections, will have around 200 hours of theory comprising 30 components.

The university will collaborate with other organizations and hospitals actively working on HIV/AIDS. "For instance, we are looking at tying up with an NGO which works for terminally-ill patients and managing opportunistic infections. We also plan to partner with NIMHANS, Bowring, St John's Hospital and KIMS," he said.

The programme will be introduced in medical colleges which have adequate infrastructure, and later extended to other colleges. "Currently, we're looking at training 10 doctors a year," Kumar said.

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