Aligarh: Prof. Abida Malik, in charge of HIV Testing State Reference Laboratory (SRL) in the Department of Microbiology, J.N. Medical College of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) organized a workshop on External Quality Assurance Programme under the National AIDS Control Organization,

The workshop included lectures, interactive sessions and hands-on training. Twenty-four participants of various ICTC's and blood banks from seven districts of western Uttar Pradesh participated in the workshop.

In view of the serious implications of incorrect HIV testing the workshop emphasized on good laboratory practices so that HIV testing is accurately performed using the guidelines of Quality Control and Quality Assurance.

The participant technicians were also given coded samples for HIV proficiency testing. The HIV test of the given samples will be performed in their respective labs and the report will be sent to the SRL, Aligarh for comparison.

The Deputy Director, Uttar Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (UPSACS), Lucknow, Dr. M. J. Aslam represented the State AIDS Control Society and distributed the certificates to the participants.

Dr. Meher Rizvi, Mr. Rahul Sharma, Mr. Pankaj Pachuri and other team members helped in making the programme a successful event.