Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug 21: Two days Refresher Training and one day review meeting of Facility Level Staff organized by A&N AIDS Control Society (ANACS) from 18th to 20th August, 2026 in the conference hall of Ayush Hospital, Junglighat, Sri Vijaya Puram. Participants were Counsellors and Lab. Technicians from 13 ICTCs of A&N Islands, and also from Laksh Institute of Shiksha Educational Society (LISES) NGO. Around 30 participants benefited from this training programme.
Dr. H.M. Sidda Raju, Director of Health Services/ Vice Chairperson ANACS, A & N Administration graced the inaugural function as Chief Guest in the presence of Dr. Subrata Saha, Project Director ANACS.
Dr. H. M. Siddaraju highlighted the crucial role of trained counsellors in providing effective HIV counselling, ensuring that individuals receive accurate information, emotional support, and guidance on HIV testing, prevention, treatment, and care. He emphasized that Laboratory Technicians must maintain the highest standards of quality and accuracy in HIV testing to ensure reliable and timely results. He further stressed the need for healthcare professionals to remain updated with the latest developments in the Health Sector.
Dr. Subrata Saha, Project Director, ANACS, in his keynote address, outlined the key objectives of the training programme and emphasized its importance in strengthening the HIV response across the Islands. He highlighted that the programme focused on achieving the 95-95-99 targets, as envisaged by NACO, with a specific goal of attaining these targets by 1 December 2026. He noted that ANACS has made significant progress towards the second 95 (95% of people living with HIV knowing their status and receiving treatment) and the third 99 (99% of those on ART achieving viral suppression), and expressed confidence that the remaining gaps can be addressed through continued efforts, effective counselling, quality HIV testing, treatment adherence, and coordinated action.
The participants were earlier welcomed by Mr. Vivekanand Singh, Deputy Director, Basic Service Division. Mr. Senthil Nathan, Assistant Director (CST), ANACS, proposed the Vote of Thanks. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the Chief Guest, Dr. H. M. Siddaraju, for gracing the inaugural function and for sharing valuable guidance on strengthening HIV counselling, testing, treatment, and care services. He also thanked Dr. Subrata Saha, Project Director, ANACS, for his leadership and continued guidance in strengthening the HIV/AIDS control programme in the Islands.
The training session included Introduction to the Basic Counselling Skills, Overview of Laboratory Quality Management System, Elimination of Vertical Transmission of HIV and Syphilis, Risk Assessment, Pre and Post-test counselling and Index Testing, Index Testing Services (ITS), Driver of HIV Epidemic, Quality System Essential: Documents & Records and Information Management, Screening and Management of Sexually Transmitted Infection and Reproductive Tract Infections, Post Exposure Prophylaxis, Universal Work Precautions and Pre- Exposure Prophylaxis, Prevention and management of opportunistic infection & Co-morbidities, Antiretroviral Treatment and Management of PLHIV and Planning and Implementing Mobile Outreach Activities.
The resource persons included Mr. Jimreeves Kirubakaran, National Programme Manager and Dr. S.K. Hari Kumar, Team Leader from FHI India, Dr. Shajimon Simon, MO i/c FI-ART, Mr. Vivekanand Singh, DD(BSD), Mr. Arup Kr. Roy, DD (Prev.), Dr. P.K. Sikdar, AD (LSD) and Mr. Senthil Nathan, AD (CST) from ANACS.
The two days Refresher training and one day review meeting of facility level staff was concluded by distribution of certificates to the participants.
