Sri Vijaya Puram, Dec 12: Two days training programme on HIV Sentinel Surveillance 2025 was organized by the A&N AIDS Control Society (ANACS) on 10th and 11th December, 2024, at the conference hall of Directorate of Industries, Middle Point, Sri Vijaya Puram. The training aimed to ensure the successful implementation of the surveillance system and build the capacity of facility-level staff. It was attended by officials and staff from 13 ICTCs Medical Officer In-charges, Counsellors, Laboratory Technicians and Staff Nurses. Approximately 50 participants benefitted from this comprehensive training programme.
The Training Programme was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Dr. Suja Antony Director of Health Services-Cum-Vice Chairperson, A & N AIDS Control Society.
Dr. Subrata Saha, Project Director/Project Coordinator (HSS), A & N AIDS Control Society briefed the objectives of HIV Sentinel Surveillance (HSS) 2025. HIV Sentinel Surveillance has been the basis for tracking of HIV/AIDS since its inception and it has been the mainstay of epidemic monitoring among ANC, High Risk Group and Bridge population under the National AIDS and STD Control Programme. In A&N Islands, HSS will focus on pregnant women. Total 1600 sample will be collected in 3 months time.
Dr. Suja Antony, DHS emphasized that the training will not only be beneficial for newly recruited staff participating in HSS for the first time but will be also refresh the knowledge of old staff who were already trained in previous HSS. Over the course of the two-day training, participants gained valuable knowledge and practical experience. She also extended a warm welcome to the resource persons from the ICMR – National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (NIRBI), Kolkata.
The participants were earlier welcomed by Mr. S. Senthil Nathan, Focal Person HSS.
The training session included overview of HIV Sentinel Surveillance (HSS), Roles and Responsibilities of person involved in HSS, Methodology of HSS- ANC Sites, Managing Data Forms, Laboratory Procedures: Specimen Collection, Processing, Packaging and Transportation.
The resource persons included Dr. Debjit Chakraborty, Scientist-E; Dr. Debdutta Agasty, Research Officer and Dr. Ishanee Ghosal Jr. Consultant, Epidemiologist, from ICMR-NIRBI, Kolkata. Dr. Rajiv Kumar Ghosh, DPHO (S/A)/State Surveillance Team Member (HSS) from DHS, Mr. Senthil Nathan, Focal Person (HSS) and Mr. Ganesh Debnath, AD SI from ANACS.
The Programme was concluded by the distribution of certificates to the participants followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Vivekananda Singh, DD BSD from ANACS.
