Good Vibes Club | Life
A Doctor’s Journey from HIV Care to Matchmaking
Love’s Prescription
As many of you may know that I am on a Medium break.
Taking a break from active story publishing has allowed me the space to reflect and recharge. However, today, I stumbled upon an article that reignited my passion for sharing stories.
Dr. Suniti Solomon’s journey, from her tireless dedication to HIV patients to her unexpected role as a matchmaker, struck a chord within me. It’s a story that deserves to be told, and I’m eager to delve into the inspiring narrative of her life and work.
She had her medical training at Madras Medical College and her pathology training in the UK, the US, and Australia before returning to Chennai with her husband, Victor Solomon, in 1973, because "she felt her services were more needed in India." After completing her doctorate in microbiology, she joined the Madras Medical College faculty at the Institute of Microbiology.
Having read about the clinical descriptions of AIDS in 1981 and the discovery of HIV in 1983, she decided in 1986 to test one hundred female sex workers because there was no openly gay population in India. Out of the 100th blood samples, six were found to be HIV positive. Solomon then transferred the samples to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, where a second test verified the first findings. This finding served as India’s first HIV documentation Solomon made the decision to devote the rest of her life to HIV/AIDS research, care, and awareness ever since. She has talked about how people avoided individuals who were HIV positive; her husband, for example, did not want her "to work with HIV-positive patients," the majority of whom were sex workers, homosexuals, and drug injectors at the time.
Solomon responded, "You have to listen to their stories and you wouldn’t say the same thing." Solomon wisely said, "What is killing people with AIDS more is the stigma and discrimination." Solomon was among the first to speak candidly about HIV and the stigma associated with it.
She became well-known for her matching services as well. Through her efforts, she brought together other couples, and offered hope to patients who had been isolated due to the societal stigma associated with their condition. They discovered a new life, each other, and a fresh perspective on living with HIV with the doctor’s assistance.
She is a such gem person for our country. I have huge respect for her because it takes a lot to against the norms and work for the people who need the help.