Media Release

Mangalore, Dec 2: “Beware of AIDS! Be Aware!” was the theme of the World AIDS Day at Father Muller Medical College. A panel discussion was held in order to create awareness about this dreaded disease among the staff and students.

Dr. Nandakishore B., Professor and HOD of Dermatology was the moderator and he very effectively covered all aspects of the topic including various questions from the audience. The panel included five specialists from Father Muller Medical College Hospital and Roshni Nilaya. Dr. Prashanth Hegde, Asst. Professor, Department of OBG spoke about mother to child transmission of the disease and its prevention. Dr. Roshan M., Assoc. Professor, Department of Medicine cleared all doubts regarding the legal aspect of AIDS. Dr. Jacintha Martis, Assoc. Professor, Department of Dermatology spoke about the precautions needed to be taken both pre and post-exposure.

Dr. Rameela Shekhar, Professor  and HOD, Medical and Psychiatric Social Work, Roshni Nilaya explained the importance of counseling and sex education. Lastly Ms. Shanti Noronha, HIV & Social Activist, Padubelle narrated her own life story, and told the audience all about her social work and highlighted the importance of peer groups. The discussion ended with words of wisdom from Dr. B. Sanjeev Rai, Dean, FMMC who has been actively involved in various AIDS programmes worldwide.

The panel discussion was followed by a performance that came as a surprise. It was the staff and students who sang and swayed to the tunes of ‘Haath se Haath Milao’ which was a very innovative way of expressing support for HIV/AIDS, showing people that we care!

Subsequently, a street play was organized at Central Market in Mangalore to create awareness among the public about HIV/AIDS. The main aim of the play was to dispel all misconceptions people have regarding the spread of the disease and also to educate them about the ways in which it can be prevented and treated.