Patient's adherence to treatment regimen is vital in combating HIV'

Mangalore, December 5: Mangaluru branch of Indian Medical Association organised a Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme on Management of HIV at Dr A V Rao Conference Hall, IMA House, in the city to mark World AIDS Day.

This CME programme is the maiden activity of the new team of office bearers which was installed last month under the leadership of the incumbent president Dr. M. Manjunath Shenoy.

Two experts in the field of HIV / AIDS, Dr. John T. Ramapuram, Professor of Medicine, KMC, Mangalore and Dr. Sathish Rao, Additional Professor of Medicine, KMC, Mangalore were the speakers for the programme, which was moderated by Dr. K.R. Bhagavan, member of executive committee of IMA Mangaluru branch. A large number of IMA members benefitted from their talk.

After rendering the IMA prayer, Dr. Siddharth Shetty introduced the international AIDS day theme 'Working Together for an AIDS-Free Generation' and the president Dr. M. Manjunath Shenoy welcomed the gathering.

Dr. K.R. Bhagavan initiated the session by observing that though HIV / AIDS is widely prevalent, there are very few specialists having the actual expertise to treat the condition and requested the two experts to share their knowledge with the audience.

In his presentation 'Management of HIV', Dr. John T. Ramapuram gave a quick overview of the diagnosis, investigation techniques and Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) which is administered to the infected patients to control HIV. “In administering ART, the most important consideration is ensure the patient's ability to adhere to the treatment regimen. If this is compromised then the virus will develop drug resistance, which will in turn make further treatment virtually impossible.” Citing examples of people who have lived up to 35 years, he asserted that with effective administration of ART it is possible for an HIV infected person to live a normal life span.

Dr. Sathish Rao focused his talk on 'Post Exposure Prophylaxis', which is a preventive strategy administered on persons who are exposed to the risk of contracting HIV. As doctors and healthcare personnel are constantly at risk of accidental exposure to HIV infection, he enlightened the gathering with a few statistical details regarding occupational exposure to HIV.

He gave detailed insights into the guidelines concerning Post Exposure Prophylaxis such as assessment of risk, measures and duration of intervention etc. He concluded with the message that HIV is now considered to be a chronic manageable disease like diabetes and hypertension. “It is not a doomsday scenario anymore,” he said.

After a brief question – answer session, Dr Nithish M. Bhandary, secretary of IMA Mangaluru Branch concluded the CME by proposing the vote of thanks.

Mylan Laboratories Limited and Emcure Pharmaceuticals Limited were the sponsors of the CME.