In 1986, when the world was just waking up to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Suniti Solomon, then a professor of microbiology at Madras Medical College, identified, for the first time in the country, six HIV-positive cases from 100 samples.
Since then, there has been no looking back for the doctor who has made great strides in the fields of HIV epidemiology, prevention, care, support, community education and research.
As she put it herself, “I’m a fighter.” Dr. Solomon was the recipient of the Dr. K.V. Thiruvengadam Award for healthcare, presented by the Rotary Club of Madras East and Kauvery Hospital at a function on Wednesday.
Speaking about the intense stigma people with HIV/AIDS continue to face, she said, “Today, it is easier to handle people with HIV/AIDS than those with diabetes. But it is the stigma that is killing people.”
Justice S. Mohan, former Supreme Court judge, who presented the award, said for the country to reach new heights, it needed fighters like Dr. Solomon.
Dr. K.V. Thiruvengadam expressed his concern with the mushrooming of medical colleges in the State.
President of the club, V.G.P. Ravidas, and executive director of Kauvery Hospital, Aravindan Selvaraj, were also present.
