I-TECH India NewsBuzz May 2020
I-TECH India introduced the e-SACEP (State AIDS Clinical Expert Panel) mechanism in targeted districts for e-consultations Tertiary and Peripheral Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) Centres. SACEP are state level panels to connect peripheral ART centres through a referral mechanism for clinical consultations about ART treatment substitutions (2nd and 3rd line) and management of ART toxicities and complicated OIs. “e-SACEP” is the internet-based version. In addition to e-clinical consultations, e-SACEP acts as a “distance mentoring tool” for peripheral ART centres in India. It provides timely recommendations, especially during the lockdown situation due to COVID-19, to PLHIV failing on Antiretroviral (ARV) regimens, and in need of regimen substitution to achieve viral suppression. A total of 187 PLHIVs from 32 distant ART Centres were referred to 9 SACEP at Tertiary ART Centres, out of which 127 were recommended substitution of regimen.
A 3-day virtual webinar on “Science, Mental Health & Ethics: The Different Aspects of a Lockdown” was organised from 12-14 May 2020 to address the concerns of medical students regarding COVID-19 pandemic. Around 900 medical students (undergraduate & postgraduate) participated in this webinar, a joint initiative of I-TECH India and the Indian Medical Association – Medical Students Network (IMA -MSN) along with other organisations from the Medical fraternity. The webinar was graced by eminent speakers from the CDC, UNESCO Chair in Bioethics, and pioneers in Mental Health.