The Centre for Global Health Research, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research (MAHER) successfully organized a two-day national-level online “HIV Testing and Counselling Training (HTCT) Certification Program” on 22nd and 23rd January 2026. The program was specifically designed to strengthen the competencies of professionals working in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and blood banks accredited by, or seeking accreditation under, NABL (ISO 15189:2022) and NABH standards.
The training provided comprehensive and up-to-date insights into NABL-112A/B guidelines, National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) protocols, provisions of the AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017, occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and the legal and ethical dimensions of HIV testing and counselling. Emphasis was placed on quality assurance, ethical responsibility, confidentiality, and compliance with national regulatory frameworks.
A total of 48 healthcare professionals, including pathologists, microbiologists, medical officers, nurses, laboratory technicians, and social workers, representing 13 states across India, actively participated in the programme. The sessions were led by eminent resource persons such as Dr. Pachamuthu Balakrishnan (MAHER), 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. Their expert deliberations and interactive discussions enriched the learning experience and encouraged active engagement from participants.
The certification program successfully enhanced professional knowledge, technical skills, and ethical awareness in HIV testing and counselling practices, reinforcing the importance of quality, safety, and patient-centered care in public health services.
