The training programme will focus on capacity building among HIV/AIDS therapeutic, and prevention and behavioural research in adolescents. BMC would be the beneficiary of the funds granted to USF through the National Institute of Health (NIH), USA, according to BMC authorities. On December 11 last year, a formal cross-continental inaugural event was held through videoconference to launch AITRP.

“NIH has awarded grant to USF, USA to create a unique state-of-the-art training infrastructure with BMC,” said Dr Y S Marfatiya, principal investigator of AITRP. He added, “USF, USA representatives have been visiting BMC for over six years now. After observing HIV/AIDS patients coming to BMC and the involvement of medical experts in the cases, USF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further HIV/AIDS research in Gujarat.”

Dr Marfatiya said that this is an ambitious five-year collaborative project to enhance the research infrastructure, training and funding to “perform HIV research with focus on adolescents.” A collaborative group of faculty committees from USF and BMC will oversee the training programme here.

Under this, three courses will be introduced— degree, certificate at USF and a short-term training at BMC, said Dr Marfatiya. He further said, “All three courses are about HIV/AIDS in adolescents. It will update the medical experts, who are interested in HIV/AIDS, about the disease in adolescents.”

Responding to a query about funds, he said, “We are the beneficiary and USF is the grantee, so nothing can be said about it now.” Dr Marfatiya, who is also the Head of Dermatology Department, BMC, said, “Research and training would be carried out in a phases. We intend to set up a committee of six departments: paediatrics, medicine, dermatology, Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM) and obstetrics and gynaecology department.”

Besides, BMC is also organising a workshop on February 29 where medical experts from all over Gujarat will be invited on AITRP, he said, adding, a “Workshop would be conducted by around four USF faculty members.”