Malad-based Dr Girish Trivedi had always been keen on philanthropy and believed in paying it forward. A general physician for over 17 years, he decided in 1999 to fuse philanthropy with his medical experience to assist people in various aspects of health.
Feroz Khan, choreographer and music video director |
“Around the end of the 1990s and early 2000s, the cases of HIV and AIDS in India were quite high and there was a lot of fear, stigma and discrimination associated with it. There were very few doctors who were supporting these patients and so he felt that it was the need of the hour. So I decided to help patients who were battling with it and guide them in whatever way I can,” explains Dr Trivedi, founder-trustee of Aids Combat International, adding that he was able to do this due to the constant support of his wife, Mamta.
Although he had been helping patients since 1999, he officially established his not-for-profit Aids Combat International (ACI) in 2002. His organisation assisted patients with breast cancer, those needing cataract and retina surgery, brain stroke and cardiac issues. There were also programmes for eye, skin and organ donation, and people requiring dialysis. However, ACI’s flagship project remained focused on HIV and AIDS.
“We found widows infected with HIV and AIDS who were struggling to take care of themselves and also raise kids, while also facing discrimination and judgement for being infected,” he explains. ACI gave these women the expensive medicines for free along with monthly groceries that included protein-rich foods to strengthen their immunity. But the work did not stop there, as he also made sure that the education of these widows’ children was taken care of, so that they could build a life for themselves.
Taking another step towards women’s health was ACI’s breast cancer programme, which was launched in 2022. Seeing a rise in the number of breast cancer patients, Dr Trivedi thought that it was necessary to work in this segment, as early detection could save lives. “An early detection with timely treatment and surgery can not only save the woman’s life, but she can also live a healthy life,” he explains. Collaboration with a corporate partner enabled funding of hundreds of breast cancer surgeries.
Because of this noble work, there were quite a few doctors who agreed to conduct the surgery at a reasonable cost. “Usually, after surgery, when it comes to post-surgery care and treatment like chemotherapy, most people’s savings are drained in spite of help from us or others,” he explained. As a doctor, he understood the need for early detection and so his organisation periodically conducted breast cancer screening at various locations by deploying mobile mammography vans—all free of cost.
Feroz Khan, Bollywood dancer, choreographer and music video Director, who has known Dr Trivedi for over two decades, shares, “Dr Trivedi has been lending a helping hand to people with HIV, AIDS and breast cancer, who face dire situations in life. He and his family have also been using their homes for this nobel work that shows passion and dedication.”
