Recently we observed World AIDS Day on 1st December. Let us remember the extraordinary legacy of Dr. Suniti Solomon, whose unshakeable legacy transformed HIV care and research in India.
India’s efforts to control the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be split into 2 eras: one prior to the work of Suniti Solomon, M.D., and after. The country’s response in the “before” era is easy to summarize—it didn’t exist. In fact, at the dawn of the 1980s when HIV was ravaging populations in the West, many considered the virus’s presence in India an impossibility. Solomon flipped that assumption on its head with identification of the country’s first documented cases of HIV in 1986.
Her Early Years
Born in 1939, Solomon was the seventh of 8 children in a family of leather traders in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. She recalled developing an interest in medicine early in life, sparked by annual home visits from health officers to vaccinate her and her siblings against smallpox. Solomon carried this interest into adulthood. After finishing medical course and higher studies, in 1973, she joined the faculty of the Madras medical College Department of Microbiology. It was there that Solomon and her colleagues made the discovery that shook India to its core.
The Defining Moment: Confronting HIV
Dr. Suniti Solomon persuaded her student, Selleppan Nirmala, to help answer a single question: is HIV present in India? They focused their sampling efforts on members of the sex worker community, who they perceived had a high risk for infection. In 1986, Nirmala and Solomon collected blood samples from 100 people in Chennai and tested the serum for the presence of HIV—6 samples tested positive, results that were confirmed via independent analysis at Johns Hopkins University.
Solomon had her answer: HIV was in India. Not only that—if the virus was as prevalent as this initial study suggested, it would kill millions. The nation was in denial that time, and to convince an entire nation was no easy task! Despite criticism, her unwavering courage, ground-breaking work, and compassionate approach to a misunderstood disease carved a path of hope for millions and inspired a nation to confront a looming epidemic.
Breaking Barriers in HIV Care
- 1988-1993: Solomon founded India’s first center dedicated to voluntary HIV counselling and testing at Madras Medical College. The center was a key resource for HIV education, treatment and outreach at the time.
- Founding YRG CARE (1993): Recognizing the need for a dedicated platform for HIV patients, Dr. Solomon founded the YR Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education (YRG CARE) in Chennai. It became a sanctuary for patients who often faced rejection and discrimination. Offering diagnosis, counselling, and treatment under one roof, YRG CARE treated over 20,000 patients and provided life-saving antiretroviral therapy (ART), changing the course of countless lives.
- Empowering Marginalized Communities: At a time when HIV/AIDS was considered a moral failing, Dr. Solomon extended care to those most at risk—sex workers, injecting drug users, and LGBTQ+ individuals. She not only provided medical treatment but also advocated for their rights, tirelessly working to destigmatize the disease.
- Trailblazing Research and Awareness: Solomon bridged the gap between research and real-world impact. Her early studies, published in renowned journals, laid the groundwork for India’s national HIV/AIDS programs. She collaborated with WHO, UNAIDS, and the Indian government to develop policies for effective prevention and treatment. Her public awareness campaigns demystified the disease, encouraging early testing and safer practices.
Global Acclaim and Recognition
Dr. Suniti Solomon’s work earned her global respect and numerous accolades, including the Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite from France in 2012 and the Mother Teresa Memorial Award. Her journey from a microbiologist to an HIV trailblazer serves as a testament to the power of determination and compassion.
Beyond Medicine: The Woman Behind the Doctor
A deeply empathetic soul, Dr. Solomon treated every patient with dignity, regardless of their background. Outside the clinic, she was a music enthusiast, a devoted mother, and a nurturing mentor to young researchers. Her vibrant personality touched everyone who knew her.
A Legacy of Hope
Dr. Solomon passed away in 2015, but her legacy endures. Today, India’s robust HIV programs owe much to her early efforts. Solomon was also recognized by the government of India with the Padma Shri, awarded posthumously.
The number of annual new cases of HIV in India have declined by roughly half since 2010. Approximately 77% of people infected with HIV know their positive status, 65% are receiving antiretroviral therapy and 55% on treatment have suppressed viral loads; this data represents key steps toward reaching the UNAIDS goal of 95% for all 3 metrics by 2025.
Dr. Suniti Solomon, not only made the ground-breaking discovery of the virus in India, but also treated and helped numerous discriminated patients. In her words,”it is not the HIV which is killing people, but a lack of empathy (sic)”. She also brought the field of microbiology to the forefront with a pioneering spirit. Her work reminds us that fighting diseases such as HIV is not only about medicine—but about humanity, empathy, and the courage to challenge the stigma.
