The Centre for Global Health Research, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research (MAHER), Chennai, successfully conducted a two-day Online HIV Testing and Counselling Training (HTCT) Certification Program on 16–17 July 2026. The national-level programme was designed to strengthen the competencies of healthcare professionals working in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and blood banks accredited or seeking accreditation under NABL (ISO 15189:2022) and NABH standards.
The training provided comprehensive insights into NABL-112A/B guidelines, National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) protocols, the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017, occupational Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and the legal, ethical, and quality aspects of HIV testing and counselling. A total of 66 healthcare professionals from 10 Indian states, including pathologists, microbiologists, medical officers, nurses, laboratory technologists, and social workers, actively participated in the programme.
The sessions were delivered by eminent experts, including Dr. Pachamuthu Balakrishnan (MAHER, Chennai), Dr. V. H. T. Swamy, Dr. Srirama Rao, and Ms. Chaithra Nair from Asha Kirana HIV Hospital and Research Centre, Mysuru, along with Dr. Sree T. Sucharitha from Kairo Kinetics, Chennai. Through expert-led lectures and interactive discussions, participants gained valuable knowledge and practical insights into quality-assured HIV testing, counselling practices, and ethical clinical decision-making.
The programme was highly appreciated by participants and served as an important platform for enhancing professional competencies in HIV diagnostics and counselling. It reinforced the significance of continuous capacity building in ensuring quality healthcare services and strengthening public health outcomes.
