Date:26/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/26/stories/2008072655940300.htm

Kerala - Kozhikode

CME to discuss HIV position

Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE: Nearly 2,000 HIV-afflicted persons are undergoing treatment in various districts in Malabar and at the Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) Clinic functioning under the Department of General Medicine at the Calicut Medical College.

P.K. Sasidharan, Head of Department, General Medicine, and Shamsudheen, Medical Officer, ART Clinic, said a total of 531 persons from the district were undergoing treatment at the clinic. They said that the HIV-positive persons could lead a normal life if they are under treatment and take nutritious food. There is a patient at the clinic who has been HIV-positive for the last 20 years. His wife, however, is still HIV-negative, they said.

The clinic also gives counselling to family members and relatives of these patients. Of the total of 1,925 patients, 1,080 patients were taking the treatment free of cost. Dr. Sasidharan said the General Medicine Department handles nearly two-thirds of the work done by the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. Despite this workload, ART clinic facilities have been provided with a sense of teamwork, he said.

A State-level Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme will be held at IMA Hall here on Sunday. Usha Titus, secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, will inaugurate the programme.