Participants of Workshop at Department of Microbiology, JNMC, AMU

ALIGARH January 9: A workshop on External Quality Assurance Programme, under the National AIDS Control Organization, was organized by State Reference Laboratory (SRL) in the Department of Microbiology, JN Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh.  The workshop included lectures and extensive interactive sessions.

Prof. Ashraf Malik, the former Principal & CMS, J.N. Medical College, AMU, Aligarh interacted with each participant individually and later distributed the certificates.

Prof Abida Malik, the Incharge, SRL, Department of Microbiology, J.N. Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, said that the aim of the workshop was to lay emphasis on accurate performance of tests, preparation of Quality Control Worksheets using kit inserts/guidelines, HIV reporting on new Integrated Counseling and Training Centre (ICTC)/ Treatment & Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission (PPTCT) HIV test reporting format, Detection of HIV infection, HIV Testing Protocols & Strategies, Collection, Storage and Transport of Blood Sample for HIV Testing, etc.

Coded samples were given to the participants for HIV proficiency testing.  The HIV test of the given samples will be performed in their respective labs and the report will be sent back to the SRL, Aligarh for assessment. A Pre & Post assessment was also conducted. Dr Meher Rizvi, Dr. Nazish Fatima, Dr. Fatima Khan, Dr. Adil Raza, Mr. Khursheed Ali, Mr Rahul Sharma, Mr Sanjay Sharma, Mr Pankaj Pachuri and other team members helped in making the programme a successful event.

The focus of this workshop was to rectify the lacunae in Quality Control of HIV testing & reporting and Strengthening ELISA Laboratories of Blood Banks by providing ELISA training to ICTCs & Blood Banks Lab Technicians of District Hospitals. A total of 26 participants of various ICTCs, PPTCTs and Blood Banks from 7 districts including Aligarh, Bulandshahar, Badaun, Bareilly, Etah, Kashiram Nagar & Pilibhit of western UP, participated in the workshop.