Port Blair, Dec 30: 18th Round of HIV Sentinel Surveillance (HSS) 2022-23 shall be carried out in Andaman & Nicobar Islands from 1st January, 2023 to 31st March, 2023 with the rest of the countries. Surveillance is an ongoing, systematic collection, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of data regarding a health related event for the use in public health action to reduce morbidity and mortality and to improve health. The ANC sites are as follows:
1. Antenatal Clinic, G.B. Pant Hospital, Port Blair
2. Antenatal Clinic, CHC Rangat (Composite Site)
3. Antenatal Clinic, BJR Hospital, Car Nicobar (Composite Site)
4. Antenatal Clinic, PHC Garacharma, Port Blair (Composite Site)
The 18th Round of HIV Sentinel Surveillance shall be conducted throughout the A&N Islands under the supervision of three teams, i.e., Central, Regional & State level which comprises expertise from WHO, UNAIDS and other National & International agencies who will provide continuous support and guidance.
For successful implementation of surveillance system, capacity building of facility level staff was conducted the Two Days State Level Training for HSS Site Personnel’s of ICTC Medical Officer In charge, Counselors, Laboratory Technicians and other facility Staff at Conference Hall, Directorate of Industries, Middle Point, Port Blair on 27th – 28th December, 2022.
The Training Programme was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Dr. Munni Singhania, Director of Health Services (DHS), A & N Administration by lightning of lamps. Mr. K. Sankar Rao, AD (M&E), Focal Person HSS welcomes the gathering & brief the objectives of HSS. Dr. ShahinaMustaquim (Microbiologist) and Dr. P. K Sikdar also address on the occasion.
The Chief Guest Dr. Munni Singhania, DHS, in her keynote address pointed out that 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.
The training was provided by resource person Dr. Subrata Biswas, Project Coordinator (HSS), NICED-ICMR, Kolkata; Dr. ShahinaMustaqim, Sr. Microbiologist, ANIIMS, GB Pant Hospital, Port Blair and the training was moderated by Mr. K. Sankar Rao, AD (M&E)/Focal Person HSS, ANACS.
Certificates were presented to the trainees by Dr. Subrata Biswas & Dr. ShahinaMustaqim and vote of thanks given by Mr. S. Senthil Nathan, AD (CST), ANACS.
This programme was conducted under the leadership of the DHS-cum-Vice Chairperson, ANACS.
