It’s time to recognise infectious diseases as a specialty, say doctors

Hyderabad: While Hyderabad boasts of a robust health infrastructure, it faces a significant shortage of infectious disease specialists. The city has only about a dozen specialists for a population exceeding one crore

Despite infectious diseases being a leading cause of death in the country, there are only a few hundred specialists available to treat these conditions. Infectious diseases can be caused by microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites. They range from common infections like swine flu and malaria to more complicated conditions such as severe pneumonia, AIDS, meningitis, and hospital-acquired infections. The shortage of professionals is particularly alarming as COVID-19 cases continue to emerge, highlighting the critical role of specialists, especially for patients with comorbidities.

Dr Pratik Yashavant Patil, an infectious disease specialist at KIMS and a member of the National Clinical Infectious Diseases Society (CIDS), stated, “In recent times, viral and bacterial infections have become more noticeable. Although the focus on this specialty is growing, it has historically been viewed as a supportive subject. It is time it is recognised as a specialty, akin to cardiology or neurology.”

To become an infectious disease specialist, doctors must first pursue post-graduate training in either general medicine, paediatrics or microbiology, followed by three years of super-specialty training in infectious diseases. “As infections caused by drug resistant organisms are on the rise, infectious disease specialists are better equipped to handle these situations compared to other doctors. The judicious use of antibiotics can significantly improve the management of infections,” Dr Pratik emphasised.

In the United States, this specialty was introduced in 1960. However, in India, only two private hospitals in Mumbai and Chennai began offering training around 2009, followed by AIIMS Delhi and CMC Vellore, which have since started providing super-specialty programmes in infectious diseases.

The shortage is underscored by the fact that NIMS is currently the only government hospital with an infectious disease specialist in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Dr K. Bhanu Prasad, an assistant professor and infectious disease specialist at NIMS, explained: “Although we do not have a separate department yet, we are gradually evolving in this direction. Our specialty is crucial—if we take COVID-19 cases. While other doctors can treat these patients, we can determine whether fever in a COVID-19 patient results from a viral infection or other conditions such as black fungus. We also assess the specific antibiotic needs for individual patients.”

According to Dr Prasad, hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are alarmingly high, with rates at around 13 per cent. “Many people experience significant complications due to these infections, which is where our specialty comes into play. Infectious disease specialists can adjust medication doses for patients suffering from severe ailments such as heart disease, lung disease, cancer, or HIV, significantly reducing morbidity and mortality,” he added.