Dr. N. Kumarasamy

Dr. N. Kumarasamy is widely recognized as one of India’s leading clinicians in infectious diseases, especially in the fields of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, and emerging infections like COVID-19. As the Chief and Director of the Infectious Diseases Medical Centre at Voluntary Health Services (VHS), Chennai, he has been instrumental in providing compassionate, evidence-based care to thousands of patients from across India and neighboring countries.His clinical work has focused on improving outcomes in people living with HIV (PLHIV). Early in his career, he played a key role in establishing dedicated HIV clinics at VHS, providing free or affordable antiretroviral therapy (ART) at a time when access in India was limited. Under his leadership, VHS became one of the first centers to provide comprehensive HIV care, including diagnosis, treatment of opportunistic infections, and long-term follow-up.
Dr. Kumarasamy has also been a pioneer in integrating clinical research with patient care. Through the Chennai Antiviral Research and Treatment (CART) Clinical Research Site, he has led multiple international clinical trials testing new ART regimens, tuberculosis treatments, and hepatitis therapies. These studies directly benefited patients at VHS by providing access to cutting-edge medications years before they became widely available. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Kumarasamy took a leading role in the clinical management of COVID patients at VHS, overseeing critical care, treatment protocols, and clinical trials of new antiviral agents and vaccines. His expertise helped shape treatment guidelines and contributed to improved survival rates.
Beyond HIV and COVID-19, he has developed robust clinical programs for tuberculosis and hepatitis co-infection, sexually transmitted infections, and emerging infectious diseases. His work emphasizes a holistic, patient-centered approach, addressing not only the medical but also the social and psychological needs of patients. Additionally, Dr. Kumarasamy has trained and mentored numerous clinicians in infectious diseases and HIV care, thereby strengthening India’s healthcare capacity. He has been actively involved in developing clinical guidelines at the national and international levels, including serving as a member of WHO and national expert committees. In summary, Dr. Kumarasamy’s clinical work stands out for its depth, innovation, and humanitarian impact. By bridging clinical excellence with research and public health initiatives, he has transformed the landscape of infectious disease care in India and beyond.