EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Dec 23: A two day workshop cum training of the staff of HIV Sentinel Surveillance (HSS 2021) among antenatal mothers High Risk Groups was conducted by Department of Community Medicine in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir State AIDS Prevention and Control Society. The training was held under the patronage of Principal Government Medical College Jammu, Dr Shashi Sudan Sharma. The participants included Gynecologists, Medical Superintendants, HIV counselors and Laboratory technicians from district hospitals of seven districts of Jammu division including Jammu, Kathua, Rajouri, Udhampur, Poonch, Doda and Reasi. For the HSS among High Risk Groups (HRGs) functionaries of four NGOs working in field conditions and providing preventive and promotional services to high risk groups were among the participants. The resource persons included Dr Rakesh Bahl Associate Professor, Community Medicine, Dr Sandeep Dogra, Associate Professor, Microbiology, Dr Rashmi Gupta Assistant Professor Community Medicine, Dr Rahuldeep Singh, Research Officer, PGIMER Chandigarh, Dr Shalli, Dr Anuradha Senior Residents, community Medicine. The Training involved detailed discussions on the modalities of conducting the surveillance activities for a period of first three months next year (2021) as a part of nationwide programme under the aegis of National AIDS Control Organization (NACO).
The activity, which is held once in two years, assesses the burden of HIV infection among general public as well as high risk groups, so that the future plans for prevention and management of HIV can be made by Government of India.
This time surveillance of two more components Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infections have also been added to HSS making it HSS plus. The workshop was inaugurated by Dr Tabassum, Deputy Director JKSACS and coordinated by Dr Rakesh Bahl, State Coordinator HSS.
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