The Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, headed by Dr. Amita Sutariya, offers 9 postgraduate seats annually and serves as a cornerstone of skin healthcare in Gujarat. Operating within one of Asia’s largest public hospitals, the department offers a full spectrum of dermatological services and caters to patients from across Gujarat and neighbouring states — many of whom travel considerable distances to access expert care.

The department manages both routine and complex disorders of the skin, hair and nails. Areas of focus include chronic skin diseases, acute presentations, infections, and sexually transmitted diseases. It also plays a central role in national public-health initiatives such as the National Leprosy Eradication Programme and STI/RTI control activities, integrating community-level outreach with tertiary-care clinical services.

Diagnostic and therapeutic facilities include dermatoscopic evaluation, Wood’s lamp examination, minor operating theatre procedures, electrocautery, chemical peels and cryotherapy. A particular strength is the growing range of advanced therapeutic options, including cutting-edge laser technology. The department regularly arranges hands-on training in dermatosurgery and aesthetic procedures — sessions that are not routinely available elsewhere in Gujarat — by inviting eminent guest faculty to deliver workshops and provide direct procedural mentoring to postgraduate students. Recent training programmes have covered dermatosurgical scar revision and sebaceous-cyst removal, botulinum toxin for the face, and dermal fillers.

Teaching, CMEs, conferences and research activities are conducted on a regular basis, keeping the department aligned with international advances in dermatological science. Postgraduate students benefit from a structured curriculum, high clinical volume and direct exposure to the latest evidence-based practice.

With its rich legacy, experienced faculty and commitment to inclusive care, the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology at Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, continues to be a beacon of service, education and innovation in skin health.