Dermatology and STD
Introduction
The Department of Dermatology and Apex Regional STD centre is located on the 5th floor, OPD block, ‘B’ and ‘C’ wing. It caters to patients requiring outpatient, inpatient and emergency care. Treatment and management of skin diseases, dermatological emergencies, leprosy and sexually transmitted diseases is provided free of cost. The Apex STD centre works in collaboration with National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) and Delhi State AIDS Control Society (DSACS). The department is and Urban Leprosy Centre and works in collaboration with National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP). The department is headed by the Head of Department under which faculty, nurses, paramedical staff and attendants work.
The department is a referral centre for all skin diseases and has one of the highest attendance in the OPD. It caters to almost 122201 patients annually (2022). In the year 2023 the skin OPD attendance was 142552. The dermatology ward for indoor patients has 40 beds and treats a wide spectrum of serious disorders like severe drug reactions, erythroderma, immunobullous disorders etc. The department conducts regular teaching, training and research in the field of dermatology and STD. It is well-equipped with latest lasers, phototherapy units and radio frequency machines and is constantly upgrading them. Department also runs a short-term trainee programme for qualified dermatologists.
Infrastructure
The Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology at Safdarjung Hospital provides comprehensive outpatient, inpatient, diagnostic, therapeutic, academic, and community-based services. The department manages a wide spectrum of dermatological disorders including eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo, hair and nail disorders, leprosy, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The department is equipped with dedicated General and CGHS OPDs, specialty clinics, therapy and procedure rooms, minor and major operation theatres, laser and phototherapy units, histopathology and laboratory facilities, seminar and teaching rooms, a departmental library and museum, and separate male and female STI clinics. Advanced diagnostic facilities include Wood’s lamp examination, dermoscopy, microscopy, slit-skin smear, patch testing, skin and nail biopsy, and comprehensive STI laboratory services.
Specialized treatment facilities include NB-UVB and UVA phototherapy, dermatosurgical procedures, vitiligo surgery, radiofrequency surgery, chemical peels, microneedling, PRP therapy, and laser services including Diode, Nd:YAG, and CO₂ lasers. All diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including surgeries, phototherapy, and laser treatments, are provided free of cost.
The department houses the Urban Leprosy Centre and provides comprehensive leprosy care under the National Leprosy Elimination Programme, including diagnosis, treatment, management of complications, and free multidrug therapy. The STI wing functions as a Regional STD Teaching, Training and Research Centre and an Apex Centre for STIs recognized by NACO, supported by an NABL-accredited laboratory.
Inpatient services are available for complex dermatological conditions and emergencies, including autoimmune vesiculobullous disorders, connective tissue diseases, severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions, erythroderma, and Stevens–Johnson syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. Faculty and residents provide round-the-clock patient care.
The department is actively engaged in teaching, research, training, and community outreach through peripheral clinics, public awareness programs, and participation in national skin health initiatives.
Services
Outdoor Services:
The department offers management for a large number of dermatologic disorders including eczemas psoriasis, vitiligo, hair disorders, nail disorders, leprosy and sexually transmitted diseases.
General OPD- Room No. 526, 527, 528, 529,534,535,538
CGHS OPD- Room No. 536,537
Specialty clinic- 526 A
Therapy Room/Minor OT- 533
Side lab- 533A
Main OT- 532
Laser room-556
Phototherapy room-556A
Seminar room- 531
Library and departmental museum- 541 C
Histopathology room- 541 D
Male STD- 546
Female STD- 547
Sample collection room- 542B
STD Laboratory & associated rooms- 544, 545, 544A, 545 A, 550, 551
Tests performed in the OPD (All procedures including surgeries, phototherapy and lasers are free of charge):
Woods lamp examination
Dermoscopy
KOH examination
Gram’s stain
Z-N stain for AFB
Slit skin smear for M.leprae and L.donovani
Tzanck smear
Patch test
Skin & Nail biopsy
Phototherapy
We also have a phototherapy unit with provision of NB UVB, UVA chambers for treatment of various indications like psoriasis, vitiligo etc.
Leprosy
The department has the Urban Leprosy Centre. We provide comprehensive management of leprosy including registration , diagnosis and treatment including reactions, complications, and disabilities. Multi Drug Therapy for treatment is also provided free to the patients. The National leprosy elimination programme is being followed by the department. Leprosy patients are seen daily and in speciality clinics held:
Tuesday (2-4pm) : New leprosy cases
Thursday (2-4pm): Follow up leprosy cases
Dermatosurgery
The minor surgeries performed in the department include:
Radiofrequency cautery
Intralesional injections
Chemical peeling
Microneedling
Vitiligo surgery
Lobuloplasty
Scar revision
Acne scar management Cyst excision
Management of keloids
Nail surgeries (partial and total nail avulsion, glomustumor excision )
Platelet Rich Plasma therapy
Diode
Nd:YAG laser : for correcting pigmentary disorders like nevus of Ota, tattoos etc.
CO2 laser: for various ablative and non-ablative procedures like scar resurfacing, acne scar treatment etc.
STD Services
The STD wing of the department is functioning as the Regional STD Teaching, Training & Research Centre, Govt of India since 1956 and has been recognized as the Apex Centre for STIs by NACO in 2009. The STD laboratory is NABL- accredited. It provides laboratory services including microscopy, serology and microbiological support in the diagnosis of various STIs .
The services provided by the department include
Male & Female STD Clinics: functioning as per NACO & DSACS guidelines; the patients are provided clinical examination, diagnostic tests, serological tests, and treatment of STIs & HIV.
Counselling is also provided by male and female STI counsellors.
Research, teaching and training.
Epidemiological studies and surveys
STD Specialists, Microbiologists and Epidemiologists are jointly carrying out all the above functions:
STD Screening.
Diagnostic work: The Centre has laboratory diagnostic facilities for diagnosis of all STD’s like Syphilis (screening and confirmation), Chancroid (smear and culture), Herpes (smear and ELISA), Donovanosis (smear), Gonorrhea (smear, culture and antibiotic sensitivity), Chlamydia infections (Ag. and Ab. Detection ELISA), Trichomoniasis (smear and culture), Candidiasis (smear, culture and antifungal susceptibility), Bacterial Vaginosis (smear), HIV, HBsAg, HCV, HCMV -all by ELISA. The patients are offered treatment based on aetiological diagnosis. Rest of the infections are treated clinically.
Follow up of STD and HIV patients:
Epidemiological Work including partner notification for clinic patients , surveillance of STD/HIV/AIDS for management and control of STDs, nationwide Annual Sentinel Surveillance of NACO (STD & ANC) every year.
Research & training of in-service medical and paramedical staff from all the States of Northern Region
External Quality Assurance both for VDRL, HIV, CD4/CD8 testing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of N.gonorrhoeae are regularly carried out and being participated in.
Teaching and Academics- The faculty of this Centre are actively involved in the teaching and training of MBBS students and post graduate students of VMMC and also students of nursing, rehabilitation courses.
Inpatient Services
Inpatient treatment is offered for autoimmune vesicobullous diseases, connective tissue disorders as well as cutaneous adverse drug reactions. We are also well equipped to handle dermatological emergencies like Stevens Johnsons Syndrome- Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, severe autoimmune vesicobullous disorders like pemphigus vulgaris, angioedema, erythroderma, acute SLE etc. The faculty and residents are available round the clock.
Community Services
The department hold health camps for skin diseases regularly. It is also involved in management of skin diseases of prisoners in Delhi Jail. Public lectures on common skin problems are done every Thursday during OPD hours.
In the entrance to the Department there are huge panels with pictures displaying common skin diseases like Vitiligo and leprosy. The patients are educated on the treatment and myths prevailing around them. The LED display board in the hospital campus and OPD registration area gives information about common skin diseases.
In association with the National Body (IADVL) the department takes part in the specific days like Vitiligo Day, Psoriasis Day and Leprosy Day to educate the public about these common disorders.
| Sr. No. | Name | Designation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. Rashmi Sarkar | Head of Department and Director Professor |
| 2 | Dr. R. K. Anand | Consultant (HAG) |
| 3 | Dr Niti Khunger | Consultant & Professor |
| 4 | Dr Premlata | C.M.O (HAG) |
| 5 | Dr Sanchita Karmakar | Consultant (HAG) |
| 6 | Dr Sunil Kumar | Consultant (HAG) |
| 7 | Dr Bijaylaxmi Sahoo | Director Professor |
| 8 | Dr Sushruta Kathuria | Specialist Gr-1 |
| 9 | Dr Shikha Bansal | Professor |
| 10 | Dr Prashant Verma | Professor |
| 11 | Dr Payal | Specialist Gr-1 |
| 12 | Dr Neha Kumar | Specialist Gr-1 |
| 13 | Dr Avneet Monga | Specialist Gr-1 |
| 14 | Dr Krati Dewan | Specialist Gr-3 |
| 15 | Dr Dhaarna Wadhwa | Specialist Gr-3 |
| Apex Regional STD Lab | ||
| 16 | Dr Sumathi Muralidhar | Consultant & Professor |
| 17 | Dr Manju Bala | Consultant & Professor (Microbiology) |
| 18 | Dr. Madhavi | |
| 19 | Dr Manju Rani | Public Health Specialist |
OPD schedule
Online registration for these rooms is open on respective days only.
Sr No. Faculty Name Room No OPD Days
1 Dr Shikha Bansal 527 All Days
2 Dr Prashant Verma 528 All Days
3 Dr Rashmi Sarkar 529 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday
4 Dr Niti Khunger 534 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday
5 Dr Bijaylaxmi Sahoo 535 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday
6 Dr Sushruta Kathuria 538 All Days
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Apart from daily OPD, we also have various special clinics for chronic dermatological conditions;
Monday: Psoriasis clinic, Drug Reaction clinic, Autoimmune & Bullous Disease & Allergy & CD & photo-dermatology
Tuesday: Pigmentary clinic, Leprosy clinic, Hair clinic & Genodermatosis clinic.
Wednesday: Phototherapy, Scar, Connective tissue disease and Laser clinic.
Thursday: Paediatric, Nail clinic & Leprosy clinic.
Friday: TB & Granulomatous clinic, Vascular anomalies clinic, Vitiligo and Histopathology.
S. No | Name of faculty | Publications details in Vancouver style |
1. | Dr Rashmi Sarkar |
Books/Chapters
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2. | Dr Bijaylaxmi Sahoo
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3. | Dr Niti Khunger |
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4. | Dr Sumathi Muralidhar |
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5. | Dr Manju Bala |
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6. | Dr Parth Rathi |
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7. | Dr Abhilasha Negi | Paper Presentations
Poster Presentations
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8. | Dr Keshav Yadav |
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Events
The department hosts a number of events annually. We celebrate World Leprosy Day, World Vitiligo Day, World AIDS Day and Dermatophyte Week. The aim is to spread awareness among various diseases of social importance via street play and health talks. The faculty and residents together have held health camps annually to treat skin disorders and provide free medicines. The faculty also gives health talks in the community focussing on college students, antenatal women and general public. The department has regularly held health camps in prison in Delhi to provide free treatment and screening for sexually transmitted infections.
Courses
The Department of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprosy at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, offers comprehensive academic and clinical training programs aimed at fostering excellence in dermatological education, patient care, and research.
MD Dermatology, Venereology & Leprosy
The department conducts the prestigious three-year postgraduate MD program in Dermatology, Venereology & Leprosy under the aegis of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU). The program provides extensive training in clinical dermatology, sexually transmitted infections, leprosy, dermatopathology, cutaneous surgery, lasers, dermoscopy, and research methodology. Residents gain hands-on experience through dedicated outpatient clinics, inpatient services, specialty clinics, academic activities, and research projects, preparing them for careers in clinical practice, academics, and research.
ACSI Observership Programme
The department is recognized by the Association of Cutaneous Surgeons of India (ACSI) for its Observership Programme under the mentorship of **Dr. Niti Khunger**, a nationally renowned expert in dermatosurgery. The observership offers focused exposure to a wide spectrum of cutaneous and aesthetic surgical procedures, including vitiligo surgery, fat grafting, lasers, electrosurgery, scar management, and cosmetic dermatology. The programme provides an opportunity for dermatologists and postgraduate trainees to enhance their practical skills through supervised clinical and procedural training in a high-volume tertiary care setting.
Teaching & Training
The Department of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprosy at Safdarjung Hospital is committed to excellence in medical education and training. As one of the largest tertiary care dermatology centers in India, the department provides comprehensive clinical, academic, and procedural training to postgraduate residents, observership candidates, interns, and undergraduate medical students. Teaching activities include daily bedside clinical discussions, seminars, journal clubs, case presentations, dermatopathology sessions, multidisciplinary meetings, and hands-on procedural training in dermatosurgery, lasers, and cosmetic dermatology. The department fosters an environment of evidence-based learning, research, and academic inquiry, enabling trainees to develop strong clinical acumen, surgical skills, and research competence while delivering high-quality patient care.
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1. | Dr. Rashmi Sarkar | National
International
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2. | Dr. Niti Khunger |
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3. | Dr. Manju Bala |
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4. | Dr. Sumathi Muralidhar |
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5. | Dr. Sushruta Kathuria |
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6. | Dr. Payal |
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7. | Dr. Krati Dewan |
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8. | Dr. Dhaarna Wadhwa |
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9. | Dr. Prakhar Srivastava |
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10. | Dr. Abhilasha Negi |
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11. | Dr. Parth Rathi | NATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL
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12. | Dr. Keshav Yadav |
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Page last updated date:18-06-2026 10:18 AM
