Department of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology

Andaman & Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS), Sri Vijaya Puram

Introduction

The Department of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology at ANIIMS, Sri Vijaya Puram began in 2015 in the OPD Block of G.B. Pant Hospital as a two-room setup. The department is affiliated with Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Institute of Higher Learning.

Currently, the department manages more than 120 patients daily on an OPD basis and runs multiple specialty clinics in the afternoon, in addition to performing daily dermatosurgical procedures. During the COVID-19 pandemic (2021–2022), to ensure social distancing, OPD operations were conducted from both rooms.

Overview of the Department

Due to the unique climatic conditions of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands — tropical, sunny, humid, and rainy — the department caters to a wide spectrum of dermatological conditions including:

• Infectious Dermatoses: Fungal, Bacterial, Viral infections
• Photo Dermatoses: Polymorphic Light Eruptions, Melasma, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• National Scourge: Leprosy, Skin Tuberculosis
• Inflammatory Conditions: Psoriasis, Atopic Dermatitis, Lichen Planus
• Skin Cancers: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• Drug Reactions: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), Fixed Drug Eruption (FDE), Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases: HIV, Hepatitis B, Syphilis, Anogenital Warts

Dermatosurgeries & OPD-Based Procedures

• Slit Skin Smear – For Leprosy Detection
• Skin & Nail Scraping – For Fungal Infections
• Punch Biopsy
• Excision Biopsy
• Incision Biopsy
• Shave Biopsy
• Intralesional Steroid Injections
• Intralesional Bleomycin
• Intralesional Vitamin D Injection
• Electrocautery
• Needling Procedures
• Nail Avulsion

Department of Dermatology

S.no	Name	Designation
1	Dr. Abhina V	Assistant Professor
2	Dr. Vivetha	Senior Resident
3	Dr. Mohit Prakash	Junior Resident

Teaching & Academic Activities

The department is fully committed to teaching Undergraduate (MBBS) students as per the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum. The aim is to ensure that each student can identify, diagnose, and manage dermatological conditions prevalent both in India and globally.

• Clinic-based teaching during dermatology rotations
• Elective postings for UG students
• Small group discussions based on OPD cases
• Training of MBBS interns in slit skin smear testing and biopsy procedures

Media Contributions

Dr. Abhinav Kumar Sharma has delivered multiple public awareness talks on:

• Leprosy in Andaman
• Superficial Fungal Infections in Andaman
• HIV in Andaman
• Hair Loss

He has participated in live televised phone-in programs on DD Port Blair under the show “Doctor Speaks” and has delivered live interactive sessions on AIR Radio, Port Blair discussing Leprosy in Andaman.

Publications

• Dr. Abhinav Kumar Sharma edited a chapter on Eczema and Dermatosis in the textbook of Dermatology by Dr. Kabir Sardana.

Membership

• IADVL Membership – Dr. Nivetha, Senior Resident, ANIIMS

Academic Achievements

• Dr. Nivetha – Second Prize in Paper Presentation, CUTICON 23 Conference, Chennai
• Dr. Nivetha – Third Prize in Poster Presentation, CUTICON 23 Conference, Chennai