Media Release

Mangaluru, Jul 1: The Department of Virology & Immunology, SIAHS, Srinivas University, successfully organised a national online webinar titled "HIV – A Public Health Concern" on June 28. An interdepartmental webinar was organised with the aim of raising awareness among students and faculty about HIV.

The session focused on the global and local impact of HIV, its modes of transmission, effective prevention strategies, and the importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment.

The session was delivered by Dr Sangthang Singson, technical officer, HIV State Reference Laboratory Civil Hopsital, Mizoram, who provided valuable insights into the current epidemiological trends, challenges in HIV prevention, and the role of healthcare professionals in mitigating its spread.

The primary objectives of the webinar were:

• To enhance awareness among students and faculty about HIV as a critical public health issue.

• To educate participants on the importance of safe practices, stigma reduction, and community engagement in HIV prevention.

• To promote a multidisciplinary approach in tackling HIV through research, diagnostics, and public health strategies.

A total of 56 participants attended the session in a hybrid mode, both offline and online.

The event was organised under the guidance of Prof Pavana Krishnamoorthy, dean of SIAHS, and Riya Nair, programme convener, Department of Virology & Immunology.

The programme was coordinated by Dr Chaithra K, along with the support of Shraddha Rani M, Ashlesh D Alva, Nithin Kumar, Vikyath Bangera S, and Michelle Rodrigues, whose contributions ensured the smooth execution of the event.