Delhi: Tibetan Voluntary Health Association in collaboration with Central TB Division, Government of India organized two days training on HIV /AIDS, syphilis, PPTCT and TB HIV services for the TVHA staff nurses/ANM at Majnu-ka-Tilla, New Delhi on 19th and 20th September 2019. The training was coordinated through National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), facilitated by Saksham Prerak project of Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS), and Delhi State AIDS Control Society (Delhi SACS).
Tuberculosis continues to be the one of the major public health problem among Tibetan community in India. One of the common comorbidities of tuberculosis is HIV/AIDS and people living with HIV have higher risk of acquiring TB infection. HIV test is provided free of cost at TVHA health facilities for early detection of the cases and early treatment to control the viral load which helps people living with HIV to lead a normal and healthy life. All the TB patients are screened for HIV at our health facilities. Therefore, the main objectives are to build the capacity of our TVHA nurses on TB/HIV services, strengthen their capability on pre and post HIV test counseling at our facilities and to create supportive environment for people living with HIV/AIDS.
The resource persons and facilitators for the training include Mr. Abhishek Patel, Mr. Gaurav Shrivastav from Saksham Prerak project of TISS. Ms. Ritu Sharma, Ms. Hemma and a lab technician from Delhi SACS. Mr. Rajiv Sindhu, Mr. Mubarak Ansari, Mr. Sanjay Swain and Dr. Lalit from NACO. And community representative from Om Prakash Network Program, Delhi to share his experiences of people living with HIV/AIDS.
Topics covered under this training are:
- Basics of HIV/AIDS including Syphilis, TB and other co-infections,
- PPTCT interventions,
- HIV/AIDS Prevention Act 2018,
- Pre/Post test communication
- TB-HIV collaborative activities.
- The training will also entertain hands on training for the staff nurses on HIV and Syphilis screening tests (WBFPT), post exposure prophylaxis and Universal Safety Precautions.