Dr. Suniti Solomon: The Doctor Who Helped India Recognize and Tackle HIV
Who was Dr. Suniti Solomon?
Dr. Suniti Solomon was a medical microbiologist. Medical microbiologists deal with the identification of microbes like bacteria, viruses, and fungi from the human body. They help clinicians in identifying the pathogenic microbes responsible for causing illnesses and also in the selection of the right drugs which can kill those microbes.
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| Image Credit: https://yrgcare.org |
Qualifications and Early Professional Life of Dr. Suniti Solomon
There was a point in time when, after her MBBS, she was staying in London with her husband, but they felt their services were needed more in India and returned for a purpose.
Dr.Suniti had a long relationship with the Madras Medical College. She did her MBBS as well as MD in Microbiology from MMC, and then rose to the rank of professor of Microbiology in the same institute.
Dr. Suniti Solomon's 1986 Discovery
In the 1980s, when the whole world was bothered by the HIV epidemic, Dr. Suniti was also keenly interested in the HIV virus and its questionable existence in India. In 1986, she guided one of her students to collect blood samples from sex workers in Chennai and identified six positive cases. Thus rang the alarm bells of HIV in India.
She faced stiff resistance from society about her work and findings, but she was successful in holding her ground, and thus, an activist for the cause of prevention and treatment of HIV was born.
From Discovery to Patient Care
In 1993, she took voluntary retirement from her Alma mater and devoted her full time and efforts to establish the first dedicated, non-profit institution for HIV patients in India, which is known as the "Y.R. Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education" and, in short, "YRG Care"
With her team at YRG Care, she pioneered many important interventions that were endorsed by the National AIDS Control Organization and were later absorbed into the National AIDS Control Program.
The center developed into a one-stop-shop for people living with HIV and their families, providing them advanced medical as well as social services, including the famous matchmaking services for people living with HIV. Its matchmaking services were captured in the award-winning documentary "Lovesick"
The center also collaborated with the National Institutes of Health, USA for high-end research on HIV including clinical trials for new drugs. The center has over 350 publications in the field. After Dr. Sumiti's demise, her son, Dr. Sunil Solomon takes her legacy forward.
Why Dr. Suniti Solomon Matters
Scientific Contribution: Helped document the first set of HIV cases in India in 1986.
Clinical & public-health contribution: Developed HIV testing, counselling and care services.
Institutional contribution: Established YRG CARE, which became a centre for HIV care, research and training.
Legacy: Her work connected scientific recognition of HIV with patient care, community support and research.
Recognition and Honors Received by Dr. Suniti Solomon
National Technical Team on Women and AIDS,
Indian Council for Medical Research,
National AIDS Research Institute,
International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, and
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
She received her fair share of scientific awards, but what distinguishes her are the public service awards, the notable ones being the Padma Shri from the Govt. of India, the Mother Teresa Memorial Award, and the Sivananda Eminent Citizen Award.
She is frequently credited for the success of the AIDS control program in India and is remembered as the torchbearer of the fight against HIV-AIDS. Obituaries in her memory make references to her simplicity, enquiring mind, compassion, and desire to do what was good.
"Look, you have to listen to their stories, and you wouldn’t say the same thing" (Her statement on linking immorality with HIV)
References and Further Readings
1. Paying tribute to Late Dr. Suniti Solomon on her 78th birth anniversary: A PlexusMD Exclusive
2. OBITUARY Dr Suniti Solomon (1939-2015)
3. OBITUARY Suniti Solomon
4. In Memoriam and Tribute to Dr Suniti Solomon
5. Journey of Dr Suniti Solomon, who receives a Padma for treating India's first AIDS patients
Author Profile
The author can be contacted through https://www.linkedin.com/in/navalasija/
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