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A training session on blood testing and syphilis in progress.[/caption]
Dimapur, June 30 (EMN): The Phek District AIDS Prevention Control Unit (DAPCU) conducted a ‘HIV & Syphilis’ test training for the district resource team on June 29 2018 at CMO Conference hall, Phek. The training was jointly organized by AHANA Project and District Health Administration.
A press release received here at Eastern Mirror office on Saturday stated that Project Officer AHANA, Mhonthung Tungoe, while speaking at the training, enlightened the trainees that ‘the main objectives of AHANA Project is to improve HIV testing among pregnant women and ensure effective linkages and retention to ART treatment and their children through Intensified Case Finding (ICF) approach’.
Tungoe added that the specific goal of ‘the project is to promote periphery level HIV screening among pregnant women as part of ANC for early identification of positive pregnant women and linking them with PPTCT services’. He further urged the ANMs (Auxiliary Nurse Midwife) at the grass root level to encourage and motivate the pregnant women to go for mandatory Ante-Natal Check Up and screen for HIV testing, the release stated.
Other highlights of the training, according to the press release, included a message on the ‘basics of HIV/AIDS and STI/RTI’, ‘the signs & symptoms of HIV/AIDS and STI/RTI’ which was delivered by Nutalu H Keyho, a DSRC Counsellor at District Hospital, Phek.
Lab-Technician at MICTC DAPCU Phek, Rukuwe also trained the participants on “whole blood finger prick test of HIV and POC Syphilis screening” during the practical session, stated the release.
besides, the ‘DA-MNE DAPCU Phek’, Velato also trained the ANMs on ‘how to maintain record registers and filling up of monthly reporting format’.
The District Program Officer (DPO) DAPCU, Kuduvo Kezo highlighted on ‘the importance of PPTCT programs and urged them to coordinate with ASHAs and tie up with Village Health & Nutrition Day (VHND) programs for Compulsory screening of HIV and Syphilis for ANC attendees’, the release further stated.