ASSOCIATION FOR HARM REDUCTION EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
Is a registered body of multi-disciplinary medical professionals from diverse specialties, who share a collective common vision for increasing the public awareness of harms resulting due to various human behaviors associated with tobacco consumption, narcotics, alcohol, and obesity.
AHRER: Aims to be a unifying platform for engaging multiple stakeholders from policy makers, health practitioners, academics, social and behavioral scientists and representatives of advocacy bodies and NGO’s and enabling network building to facilitate knowledge sharing, exchange of ideas and overarching partnerships on the issue of harm reduction measures and strategies. With constantly evolving public health landscape in India, there is an compelling need for medical professionals to lead the policy discourse embedded with scientific evidence based in the country.
Our Team
To contribute to the improvement of public health awareness by educating Indian public on health, and related domains including familial, social, financial and societal consequences of tobacco consumption, narcotics, alcohol, and obesity.
Dr. Kiran Melkote
Dr. Kiran Melkote is an Orthopaedic Surgeon practicing in Delhi NCR region at a tertiary care institute.
He has been involved with AHRER as a member since the last 3 years and has been appointed as a Director since April 2023.
Dr. Melkote completed his studies from M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore and Manipal Hospitals, Bangalore. He has achieved advanced certifications in Trauma and Life support, Complex Shoulder and Elbow Trauma and Joint replacements.
Dr. Melkote is a passionate advocate for Harm Reduction especially in the context of Tobacco use. He has a lived experience as a former smoker and is actively working on tobacco cessation and nicotine substitution as twin strategies for saving lives affected by tobacco use. He has consistently urged for inclusion of current / former tobacco users in tobacco policy groups. He strongly believes in country specific tobacco control measures based on the tobacco use pattern and has been advocating for a renewed focus on Indian oral tobacco use (smokeless tobacco)
Dr. Aparajeet Kar
Consultant Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine
Experienced Consultant with a demonstrated history of working in hospitals & health care industries. Skilled in Pulmonology and Critical Care.Strong consulting experience with a Doctor of Medicine (MD) focused in Interventional Pulmonology and Interventional Critical Care/Intensive Medicine