HCTS Guideline, Jun 2016

GOI/NACO/BSD (ICTC)/OGL/23062016
NATIONAL HIV COUNSELLING AND

TESTING SERVICES (HCTS) GUIDELINES
June 2016
Government of India
National AIDS Control Organization
Basic Services Division
National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines 1

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Minister of Health & Family Welfare
Government of India
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Jagat Prakash Nadda
MESSAGE
The HIV prevalence among the adult population in India has substantially declined
from 0.4% in the year 2000 to 0.26% in the year 2015, with also a reduction of
67.7% in new HIV infection among adults. This clearly reflects the impact of various interventions under the
National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), reiterating India’s success story on HIV/AIDS control.
India is the signatory with full commitment towards the global vision to end AIDS as a public health threat
by 2030.
Scaling up of HIV counselling and testing services, while ensuring privacy and confidentiality, has been an
integral component of NACP and remains the gateway to HIV prevention, treatment, care and other support
services.
The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) has meticulously updated and brought out these “National
HIV Counselling and Testing Services Guidelines, 2016” incorporating newer strategies to maximize access
to HIV counselling and testing services across the country, then linking individuals to necessary care,
support and treatment services.
I am confident that all States and Union Territories will ensure efficient implementation of these National
Guidelines in public and private sectors for expeditious achievement of desired goals.
(J P Nadda)
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348, A-Wing, Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi-110011
Tele : (O) +91-11-23061647, 23061661, 23061751, Telefax : 23062358, 23061648
Email : [email protected]
2 National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines

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Government of India
Department of Health & Family Welfare
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
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Bhanu Pratap Sharma
Secretary
MESSAGE
The National AIDS Control Programme Phase IV (2012-17) aims to accelerate the process of reversal and
further strengthen the epidemic response in India, while consolidating the gains made during the earlier
three phases of the Programme from 1992 to 2012.
National HIV Estimates 2015 confirm that the epidemic in India has shown an appreciable declining trend
in HIV prevalence, new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths. With an estimated 2.12 million People
Living with HIV (PLHIV), new HIV infections have dropped from 1.27 lakhs in the year 2007 to 87,000
in the year 2015, and AIDS related deaths have also reduced from 1.5 Lakhs to 67,600 during the same
period.
In accordance with the global vision to end AIDS as public health threat by 2030, India has moved ahead
towards achieving the global 90:90:90 target by 2020.
Scaling up of HIV Counselling and Testing Services (HCTS) is a crucial step towards achieving the first 90,
wherein, it is desired that 90% of the estimated PLHIV in the country are aware of their HIV. Achieving this
is vital for the success of the subsequent 90:90 related to anti-retroviral treatment and viral suppression.
Government of India is thus committed to further expand access to quality-assured HIV Counselling and
Testing Services, while involving the healthcare delivery system under the National Health Mission and in
close collaboration with other concerned ministries and the private sector, using innovative strategies to
reach priority populations and hard to reach areas in the country.
The National AIDS Control Organization has diligently updated and developed the “National HIV Counselling
and Testing Services Guidelines, 2016”. Since these guidelines clearly outline a well-defined public health
approach to strengthen and expand HCTS for spearheading the country’s response to HIV/AIDS, these will
be immensely useful for all its users.
(B P Sharma)
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Room No. 156, A-Wing, Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi-110011
Tele : (O) 011-23061863, Fax : 230611252, Email : [email protected]
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Government of India
Department of Health & Family Welfare
National AIDS Control Organisation
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Navreet Singh Kang, IAS
Additional Secretary
FOREWORD
In India, HIV Counselling and Testing Services started in the year 1997 and since then have been scaled
up at different healthcare settings. Currently, there are more than 19,800 centers, including 5,385 Stand-
Alone ICTCs, 11,780 Facility-ICTCs and 2,581 PPP-ICTCs across the country. This scale up was guided by
the “Operational Guidelines for Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres 2007”, where the Programme
was able to detect 67% of the estimated 2.12 million PLHIVs in the country by 2015.
Additionally, in continued collaboration with the National RCH Programme, an estimated 29 million
pregnancies need to be annually screened for HIV and Syphilis so as to meet the goal for elimination of
Mother to Child Transmission.
Considering the experiences of the past, the current goal of 90% of estimated PLHIV knowing their HIV status
and WHO (2015) Consolidated Guidelines on HIV Testing Services, NACO/GoI has envisaged evidence-
based innovative modalities for scaling up quality-assured HIV testing services in India.
A National Consultative process involving all concerned experts, development partners, community
representatives, technical resource group, academia and research institutes, program managers /
implementers and NGOs was adopted for updating the existing 2007 guidelines into a comprehensive
“National HIV Counselling and Testing Services Guidelines 2016”.
These updated National guidelines will surely help and facilitate in efficient - planning, implementation,
guidance, supervision, monitoring and review, management, and in maintaining high quality HIV Testing
Services in both public and private sectors throughout the country.
Signatures
(N S Kang)
6th Floor, Chandralok Building, 36 Janpath, New Delhi-110002, Telefax: 011-23325331, Fax: 23751700
E-mail: [email protected]
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Know Your HIV status, go to the nearest Government Hospital for free Voluntary Counselling and Testing
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MkW- lh-oh- /kekZ jko Government of India
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National AIDS Control Organisation
Dr. C.V. Dharma Rao 9th Floor, Chandralok Building, 36 Janpath,
Joint Secretary
New Delhi-110 001
MESSAGE
HIV Counselling and Testing Services (HCTS) have been rapidly scaled up by National AIDS Control
Organization throughout the country both in Public and Private Sector Institutions. There is an 88% increase
in number of HIV testing centers from 2011-12 (10,515 centers) to 2015-16 (19,800 centers). To enhance
the access to HIV Counselling and Testing Services. Integrated Counselling and Testing Centers have been
decentralized to the district, Sub-district and block levels through Stand-alone Integrated Counselling and
Testing Centres (ICTCs), Public Private Partnership ICTCs, Facility-integrated ICTCs, public and private for
HIV screening, and mobile ICTCs.
ICTCs are now established at all levels starting from medical colleges, districts/civil hospitals and sub district
hospitals. In many states HIV testing services are also made available in Community Health Centres, Rural
and Urban Centres, Clinics, Maternity Homes, Private Nursing Homes, Corporate Hospitals, Public and
Private Industries etc.
Achieving the 90:90:90 goals may not be realistics without universalization of HIV testing services in all the
public health care institutions in the country and NACO is striving to reach through implementation of new
National HCTS guidelines. The new HCTS guidelines give us an opportunity to move forward explore new
mechanisms and effective strategies to involve both public and private sector institutions.
I strongly encourage the health care providers at all levels to create demand for HCTS services, translate the
new guidelines into action, while applying the principles of existing five C’s of HCTS-consent, confidentiality,
counselling, correct test results and connection to care the treatment all circumstances while maintaining
high quality of services.
(Dr. C.V. Dharma Rao)

9th Floor, Chandralok Building, 36 Janpath, New Delhi-110002, Phones: 011-23325343, Fax: 23731746
E-mail: [email protected]. [email protected], [email protected]

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Government of India
Dr. Kuldeep Singh Schdeva
MBBS, DTCD, DHHM, MBA Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Deputy Director General National AIDS Control Organisation
6th Floor, Chandralok Building
Tel. : +91-22-23731805
Mob. : +91-9818038890 36 Janpath, New Delhi-110001
Fax : +91-11-23731746
E-mail : [email protected]
[email protected]
PREFACE
The world is embarking on the Fast-track strategy to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 India is committed
to achieving the global 90:90:90 target by 2020 viz. 90% of people living with HIV would know their HIV
status. 90% of people who know their HIV status will receive treatment and 90% of people on treatment
would have suppressed viral load to minimize HIV transmission. Thus, further rapid scale up of the HIV
Testing. Prevention and Treatment services is warranted in India.
Programme, hitherto, has been following the ‘Operational Guidelines for Integrated Counselling and Testing
Centres (ICTCs) 2007”. But still there is nearly on-third of the estimated PLHIV who do not know their
status.
This necessitated appropriate updating of the existing guidelines of 2007. Therefore, NACO embarked
on a participatory process beginning with a National Consultation on HIV Testing Services in India,
involving different stakeholders including state programme managers, community representatives and RCH
programme, followed by in-depth deliberations by (a) the group of experts and development partners and
(b) NACO’s Technical Resource Group on ICTC comprising of technical experts, development partners and
community representatives. Simultaneously, NACO/GoI constituted a Writing Group including technical
experts from research and academic institutions, development partners and NACO officials. This group
meticulously developed the “National HIV Counselling and Testing Services Guidelines, 2016”, taking into
consideration the recommendations of WHO (2015). National Consultations and Technical Resource Group,
along with the inputs from concerned officials of all the State AIDS Control Societies (SACS) as well as the
public through the NACO website.
The valuable support from MoHFW/GoI, different Divisions of NACO, all development partners, research
& academic institutions and SACS towards the development and bringing out of these National HCTS
Guidelines is highly appreciated.
I am sure that these National Guidelines will facilitate smooth scale up, efficient implementation and uptake
of HIV Counselling and Testing Services through concerted and determined efforts at all levels in India.
(Dr K S Sachdeva)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
1. National HIV Counselling and Testing Services Guidelines 2016 Writing Group:
1) Dr. Ashok Kumar; former Addl. Director General, MoHFW, GoI – Chairman
2) Dr. TLN Prasad, Technical Expert STI, NACO – Chairman Sub Group
3) Dr. Asha Hegde, National Programme Officer ICTC, NACO – Coordinator
1.1 Members from Development Partners:
(1) Dr. Pauline Harvey, Country Director, CDC DGHT India, New Delhi; (2) Dr. Nicole Seguy,
Communicable Diseases Team Lead , WHO India, New Delhi; (3) Dr. Sudha Balakrishnan,
Health Specialist, UNICEF India, New Delhi; (4) Ms. Nandini Kapoor Dhingra, UNAIDS
India, New Delhi; (5) Dr. Sampath Kumar, Public Health Specialist, CDC, New Delhi; (6)
Dr. Vimlesh Purohit, Technical Expert, New Delhi; (7) Ms. Srilatha Sivalenka, Public Health
Specialist, CDC, Hyderabad; (8) Ms. Deepika S Joshi, Public Health Analyst, CDC, New
Delhi; (9) Mr. Manilal N R, Project Director, HIV/AIDS Alliance, Chennai (10) Dr. Archana
Beri, PHS- Lab Advisor, CDC, New Delhi; (11) Dr. Sukarma Tanwar, CDC, New Delhi; (12)
Dr. Amarnath Babu, Ex-National Consultant, WHO India, New Delhi; (13) Dr. Deepak
Khismatrao, Team Leader, PHFI, New Delhi; (14) Dr. Ramesh Reddy Allam, Associate
Project Director, SHARE India, Hyderabad; (15) Dr. Anwar Parvez, Senior Medical Advisor,
I-TECH, New Delhi; (16) Dr. Jayesh Dale, Senior Project Manager, SHARE India, New Delhi;
(17) Mr. Kartik Sharma, CHAI, New Delhi; (18) Ms. Parul Goyal, CHAI, New Delhi; (19) Ms.
Nikhar Bhatia, CHAI, New Delhi; (20) Dr. M. Naina Rani, National Consultant PPTCT (HIV,
Syphilis & Hepatitis-B) WHO
1.2 Members from Research and Academic Institutions:
(1) Dr. Sheela Godbole, Scientist, National AIDS Research Institute (NARI), ICMR, Pune;
(2) Dr. Seema Sahay, Scientist, NARI, ICMR, Pune; (3) Dr. Sumathi Muralidhar, Associate
Professor, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, New Delhi; (4) Dr. Shalini Bharat, National
Programe Director, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai; (5) Dr. Shweta Bajaj,
Senior Programme Manager, Saksham, TISS, Mumbai.
1.3 Members from NACO:
(1) Dr. K S Sachdeva, Deputy Director General & Head, Basic Services Division (BSD);
(2) Dr. Naresh Goel, Deputy Director General & Head, Lab Services & IEC Division; (3) Dr.
R S Gupta, Deputy Director General & Head, Care, Support & Treatment (CST) Division;
(4) Dr. Neeraj Dhingra, Deputy Director General & Head, Targeted Intervention (TI) and
Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Divisions; (5) Dr. A S Rathore, Ex-Deputy Director General &
Head, Care, Support & Treatment (CST) Division; (6) Dr. B B Rewari, National Professional
Officer ART; (7) Dr. Rajesh Deshmukh, Programme Officer HIV-TB; (8) Dr. Sunny Swarnkar,

Programme Officer ICTC; (9) Mr. Reneej K B, Technical Officer ICTC; (10) Dr. P Sujith,
Technical Officer M&E, BSD; (11) Mr. Mubarak Ali Ansari, Technical Officer PPTCT; (12) Dr.
Jyoti Sharma, Technical Officer HIV-TB; (13) Mr. Tejas Mulik, Technical Associate PPTCT;
(14) Ms. Divya Gulati, Ex-Technical Officer, Training; (15) Dr. Reema Gill, Ex-Programme
Officer Counselling; (16) Dr. Manish Bamrotiya, Ex-Programme Officer ART; (17) Dr. Govind
Bansal, Team leader, TSU; (18) Dr. Aman Kumar Singh, Technical Expert, STI; (19) Ms.
Sophia Khumukcham, Programme Officer TI; (20) Mr. Animesh Purohit, Techincal Officer,
TI; (21) Ms. Sanchali Roy, Consultant, IEC; (22) Mr. Rajesh Rana, Assistant Director
Media, (23) Dr. Pradeep Kumar, Programme Officer Surveillance (24) Mr. Ugra Mohan Jha,
Programme Officer Statistics (25) Mr. Praveen Gupta, Programme Officer M&E; (26) Dr.
Vinita Dar, Programme Officer LS; (27) Dr. Madhu Sharma, Project Officer Mainstreaming.
2. The valuable support from MoHFW/GoI, all divisions of NACO, development partners, research &
academic institutions and State AIDS Control Societies towards the development of these National
Guidelines, is highly appreciated.

Table of Contents
Page No.
List of Abbreviations 13-17
Chapter 1 Executive Summary 18-20
Background: 19
Summary of Key Changes: 20
Chapter 2 Hiv Counselling and Testing Service Delivery Strategies 21-50
2.1 Priority Populations for Hcts 22
2.2 Flow of Individuals for Accessing Hcts 24
2.3 Roles and Responsibilities of Hcts Personnel 25
2.3.1 Naco Personnel 25
2.3.2 Sacs Personnel 26
2.3.3 District Personnel 27
2.4 Hcts Delivery Approaches 28
2.4.1 Facility-Based Hcts 28
2.4.2 Community-Based Hiv Screening Approaches 43
Chapter 3 Counselling For Hiv Testing 51-63
3.1 Pre-Test Counselling 52
3.2 Informed Consent 54
3.2.1 Consent for Individuals below the age of 18 Years 54
3.2.2 Consent for Non-Ambulatory Individuals 54
3.2.3 Consent for Patients in Coma 54
3.3 Post-Test Counselling 54
3.3.1 Post-Test Counselling for Individuals who have been Screened for Hiv 55
3.3.2 Post-Test Counselling for Individuals with Confirmed Results 56
3.4 Follow-Up Counselling and Hiv Testing 58
3.5 Additional Counselling 59
3.6 Sharing of Hiv Test Results 60
3.6.1 Sharing of Spouse/Sexual Partner Hiv Test and Partner Notification 60
3.6.2 Shared Confidentiality and Medical Disclosure 61
3.6.3 Disclosure 61
3.7 Standard Operating Procedures 61
3.7.1 Standard Operating Procedure for a Counsellor at Hcts Screening Facility 61
3.7.2 Standard Operating Procedure For a Counsellor at Hcts Confirmatory 62
Facility (Sa-Ictc)

Chapter 4 Hiv Testing and Quality Management Systems for Hcts Facility 64-75
4.1 Hiv Testing Strategies for Adults and Children (Above the Age of 18 Months) 65
4.1.1 Strategy I 65
4.1.2 Strategy Ii (A) 66
4.1.3 Strategy Ii (B) 67
4.1.4 Strategy Iii 67
4.2 Early Diagnosis of Hiv in Children Below the Age of 18 Months 69
4.3 Single-Prick/Single-Window Blood Sample Collection for Testing 70
4.4 Non-Ambulatory in-Patients 70
4.5 Diagnosis of Hiv-2 70
4.6 Quality Assurance of Hiv Testing 71
4.6.1 Quality Control at the Sa-Ictc, F-Ictc and other Hcts Facilities 72
4.6.2 Role of Sa-Ictc in Facilitating Hiv Screening 72
4.6.3 Storage of Sera for Quality Assurance 72
4.6.4 Specimen Transport for Quality Assurance 73
4.7 Standard Operating Procedures for Lab Technicians 74
4.7.1 Standard Operating Procedures for Lab Technicians at Hcts Screening 74
Facility
4.7.2 Standard Operating Procedures for Lab Technicians at Hcts Confirmatory 74
Facility (Sa-Ictc)
Chapter 5 Hiv-Tb Collaborative Activities 76-81
5.1 Nacp-Rntcp Coordination Mechanisms and Activities at Various Levels: 77
5.1.1 Prevention of Tb-Hiv 77
5.1.2 Early Detection 78
5.2 Mechanism at Ictcs for Identifying and Testing Individuals with Hiv-Tb 79
5.2.1 Process Flow at Hcts Screening Facilities for Hiv-Tb Testing 79
5.2.2 Process Flow at Hcts Confirmatory Facilities (Sa-Ictc) for Hiv-Tb Testing 80
Chapter 6 Linkage of Hiv Testing to Care, Support and other Prevention Services 82-88
6.1 Process of Linkage: 83
6.2 Expected Linkages at Hcts Facilities: 84
6.2.1 Linkages at Hcts Screening Facilities 84
6.2.2 Linkages at Hcts Confirmatory Facilities (Sa-Ictc) 85
6.3 Roles and Responsibilities of Hcts Facilities to Ensure Effective Linkage 87
6.4 Barriers for Linkages and their Addressal 87
Chapter 7: Capacity Building and Supportive Supervision of Functionaries Under 89-94
Hcts
7.1 Training for all Hcts Facilities 90
7.2 Supportive Supervision 92
7.3 Role of Sacs in Capability Building 94

Chapter 8 Supply Chain Management Under Hcts 95-99
8.1 Supply Chain Management under Hcts 96
8.2 Reporting, Review and Prompt Follow up Action on Status of Commodities 98
8.3 Common Supplies to be Maintained at Hcts Facilities 99
Chapter 9 Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization 100-106
9.1 Advocacy 101
9.2 Iec Activities 101
9.2.1 Communication Objectives 102
9.2.2 Communication Strategies and Actions 102
9.2.3 Communication Channels to Reach the General Population 103
9.2.4 Generating Demand for Services 104
9.3 Social Welfare and Protection Schemes for People Infected with and Affected 104
by Hiv
9.3.1 Social Protection and Welfare Measures 104
Chapter 10 Information Management System 107-111
10.1 Information Management Systems 108
10.2 Strategic Information Management System (Sims) 109
10.3 Hiv Case Reporting through Pals (Plhiv-Art Linkages System) 109
10.3.1 Pals- Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission of Hiv (Pptct) Module 110
10.3.2 Pals- General Individual Module 110
Chapter 11 Testing for Syphilis 112
Glossary 115
List of Annexures 118
Annexure A1 Counselling Register at Hcts Screening Facilities (Fictc/Ppp-Ictc/ Ti-Ictc) 120
Annexure A2 Counselling Register for General Individual at Hcts Confirmatory Facilities 121
(Sa-Ictc)
Annexure A3 Counselling Register for Pregnant Women at Hcts Confirmatory Facilities 122
(Sa-Ictc)
Annexure A4 Laboratory Register at Hcts Confirmatory Facilities (Sa-Ictc) 123
Annexure A5 Stock Register at Hcts Screening Facilities 123
Annexure A6 Stock Register at Hcts Confirmatory Facilities (Sa-Ictc) 123
Annexure A7 Temperature Log Book at Hcts Facilities 124
Annexure A8 Hiv-Tb Line List at Hcts Confirmatory Facilities (Sa-Ictc) 125
Annexure A9 Hiv-Tb Register at Hcts Confirmatory Facilities (Sa-Ictc) 125
Annexure A10 Ictc Hiv Exposed Infant/Child Register 126
Annexure A11 Hiv Positive Pregnant Women Delivery Register 127
Annexure A12 Counselling Register at Hcts Screening Facilities (Ti-Ictc) 128
Annexure A13 Out Reach Activity Register for Hcts Confirmatory Facilities (Sa-Ictc) 129

Annexure A14 Visitor’s Register 130
Annexure B1 Linkage Form (in Triplicate) 131
Annexure B2 Indent Form for Hcts Commodities 132
Annexure B3 Rntcp Form for Referral for Diagnosis 133
Annexure C1 Sims Reporting Format for Hcts Confirmatory Facilities (Sa-Ictc) 134
Annexure C2 Sims Reporting Format for Hcts Screening Facilities (Fictc & Ppp-Ictc) 141
Annexure C3 Laboratory Report at Hcts Screening Facilities 143
Annexure C4 Laboratory Report at Hcts Confirmatory Facilities (Sa-Ictc) 144
Annexure C5 Daily Worksheet for Laboratory Technician 145
Annexure C6 Dashboard Indicators for Hcts Screening Facility 146
Annexure C7 Dashboard Indicators for Hcts Confirmatory Facility (Sa-Ictc) 147
Annexure C8 Sims Reporting Format for Hcts Screening Facilities (Ti-Ictc) 148
Annexure C9 Quarterly Sims Reporting Format for Hcts Confirmatory Facilities (Sa-Ictc) 149
Annexure C10 Hr & Training Quarterly Format for Sacs 152
Annexure D1 Plhiv Card at Hcts Confirmatory Facilities (Sa-Ictc) 153
Annexure D2 Pptct Beneficiary Card at Hcts Confirmatory Facilities (Sa-Ictc) 155
Annexure D3 Eic Card for Infants at Hcts Confirmatory Facility (Sa-Ictc) 159
Annexure D4 Discordant Partner Card 160
Annexure D5 Follow up Hiv Testing Card 162
Annexure E1 Mou for Ppp-Ictc Models 163
Annexure E2 D.O. Letter Issued by As & Md (Nhm) and As & Dg (Naco) Regarding 171
Universal Screening of Pregnant Women for Hiv & Syphilis
Annexure E3 Rubber Stamps Prototype for Hcts Facilities 173
Annexure E4 Checklist for Hcts Confirmatory Facilities (Sa-Ictc) 174
Annexure E5 Integrated 10 Points Counselling Tool on Tb/Drug Resistant Tb 178
Annexure E6 Cover Page & First Page of all Registers 179
Annexure E7 Referral Slip from ICTC Counsellor to Lab Technician 180
Annexure E8 Contact details of officials of Basic Services Division at NACO 181
Annexure E9 Details of Basic Services Division In-charge at SACS 181
Annexure E10 Details of PPTCT Consultant at SACS 182
References 183

List of Abbreviations
AAY : Antyodaya Anna Yojana
ACH : Air Changes per Hour
ACSM : Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization
AIC : Airborne Infection Control
AIDS : Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Al, A2, A3 : Assays 1,2,3
ANC : Antenatal Care
ANM : Auxiliary Nurse Midwife
ART : Anti-retroviral Therapy
ART Centre : Anti-retroviral Therapy Centre
ART Plus : Anti-retroviral Therapy Plus Centre
ARV : Anti-retroviral Drugs
ASHA : Accredited Social Health Activists
AWW : Anganwadi Worker
AYUSH : Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy
BCC : Behaviour Change Communication
BPL : Below Poverty Line
CB NAAT : Cartridge-Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test
CBS : Community Based Screening
CBO : Community Based Organization
CDC : Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
CHC : Community Health Centre
CLIA : Chemiluminescence Immunoassay
CMO : Chief Medical Officer
CSC : Care & Support Centre
CSO : Civil Society Organization
DACO : District AIDS Control Officer
DAPCU : District AIDS Control and Prevention Unit
DBS : Dried Blood Spot
DCC : District Coordination Committees
DH : District Hospital
DHO : District Health Officer
DIS : District ICTC Supervisor
DMC : Designated Microscopy Center
DMLT : Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology
DNA : Deoxyribonucleic Acid

DPM : District Programme Manager
DSRC : Designated STI/RTI Clinic
ECL : Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay
ECS : Elimination of Congenital Syphilis
EIA : Enzyme Immunoassay
EID : Early Infant Diagnosis
ELISA : Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay
ELM : Employee-Led Model
eMTCT : Elimination of Mother-To-Child Transmission
EQA : External Quality Assessment
EQAS : External Quality Assessment Scheme
FBO : Faith-Based Organization
FEFO : First Expired First Out
F-ICTC : Facility-Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres
FSW : Female Sex Worker
GoI : Government of India
GRADE : Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation
HBV : Hepatitis B Virus
HCV : Hepatitis C Virus
HIV : Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HRB : High Risk Behaviour
HRG : High Risk Group
HCTS : HIV Counselling and Testing Services
I/C : In-Charge
IATA : International Air Transport Association
IAY : Indira Aawas Yojana
IC : Infection Control
ICDS : Integrated Child Development Services
ICF : Intensified Case Finding
ICTC : Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre
IDU : Injecting Drug User
IEC : Information, Education and Communication
IGNWPS : Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme
IMA : Indian Medical Association
IPC : Interpersonal Communication
IPD : In-Patient Department
IPT : Isoniazid Preventive Therapy
IQC : Internal Quality Control
I-TECH : International Training & Educational Centre for Health

ITS : Individual Tracking Sheet
IVD : In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device
JSY : Janani Suraksha Yojana
LAC : Link ART Centre
LAC + : Link ART Plus Centre
LHV : Lady Health Visitor
LPA : Line Probe Assay
LT : Laboratory Technician
LWS : Link Workers Scheme
MA/MSc : Master of Arts/Master of Science
MARPs : Most At Risk Populations
MGNREGS : Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
MMR : Maternal Mortality Rate
MMU : Mobile Medical Unit
MO : Medical Officer
MoHFW : Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
MOU : Memorandum of Understanding
MPW : Multipurpose Worker
MSM : Men Who Have Sex with Men
MTB : Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
NACO : National AIDS Control Organization
NACP : National AIDS Control Programme
NASBA : Nucleic Acid Sequence-Based Amplification
NAT : Nucleic Acid Testing
NFBS : National Family Benefit Scheme
NGO : Non-Governmental Organization
NHM : National Health Mission
NRL : National Reference Laboratory
NTWG : National Technical Working Group
OI : Opportunistic Infection
OPD : Out-Patient Department
ORW : Outreach Worker
OST : Opioid Substitution Therapy
PALS : PLHIV ART Linkage System
PAN : Permanent Account Number
PCR : Polymerase Chain Reaction
PD : Project Director
PE : Peer Educator
PEP : Post-Exposure Prophylaxis

PEPFAR : United States President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief
PHC : Primary Health Centre
PHN : Public Health Nurse
PICO : Population/Intervention/Comparison/Outcome
PID : Person Identification Digit
PITC : Provider-Initiated Testing and Counselling
PLHIV : People Living with HIV/AIDS
PMTCT : Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission
PPP-ICTC : Public Private Partner ICTC
PPTCT : Prevention of Parent-To-Child Transmission
PrEP : Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
PSUs : Public Sector Units
PTI : Pre-Test Information
PW : Pregnant Women
QA : Quality Assurance
QC : Quality Control
QI : Quality Improvement
QMS : Quality Management System
RCH : Reproductive Child Health
RDT : Rapid Diagnostic Test
Rif : Rifampicin
RKS : Rogi Kalyan Samiti
RKSK : Rashtriya Kishore Swasthiya Karyakram
RNA : Ribonucleic Acid
RNTCP : Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme
RPR : Rapid Plasma Reagin
RSBY : Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana
RU : Reporting Units
SACS : State AIDS Control Society
SA-ICTC : Stand-Alone Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre
SCC : State Coordination Committee
SGSY : Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojna
SHG : Self Help Group
SIMS : Strategic Information Management System
SOP : Standard Operating Procedure
SRL : State Reference Laboratory
STI/RTI : Sexually Transmitted Infection / Reproductive Tract Infection
SWG : State Technical Working Group
TB : Tuberculosis

TI : Targeted Intervention
TNA : Total Nucleic Acid
TG : Transgender
TTI : Temperature Track Indicator / Trans Track Indicator
TV : Television
UAT : Unlinked Anonymous Testing
UID : Unique Identification Number
UN : United Nations
UNAIDS : Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
UNICEF : United Nations Children's Fund
UNDP : United Nations Development Programme
USAID : United States Agency for International Development
USP : Universal Safety Precautions
UWP : Universal Work Precaution
VCT : Voluntary Counselling and Testing
VDRL : Venereal Diseases Research Laboratory Test
VMMC : Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision
WB : Western Blot
WBFPT : Whole Blood Finger Prick Test
WHO : World Health Organization
WLHIV : Women living with HIV

1
Executive Summary

Background:
The prevalence of HIV among the adult population has continued a steady decline at the national level
from an estimated peak of 0.4% in 2000 down to 0.26% in 2015. The total number of people living with
HIV (PLHIV) in India is estimated at 21.17 lakhs in 2015 compared with 22.26 lakhs in 2007. Of these,
children below 15 years of age account for 6.54% while women account for 40.5%.
India has successfully achieved the sixth Millennium Development Goal of halting and reversing the HIV
epidemic. Between 2000 and 2015, the number of new HIV infections dropped from 2.51 lakhs to 86,000,
a reduction of 67% against the global average of 35%. Children below 15 years of age accounted for 12%
of the total number of new infections while the remaining new infections were among adults.
Since 2007, the annual number of AIDS-related deaths has declined by 54%. This decline is consistent in
conformity with the rapid expansion of access to services providing antiretroviral therapy (ART) in India. It
is estimated that the scale up of free ART in India since 2004 has cumulatively saved around 4.5 lakh lives
until 2014.
During 2014-15, the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) in collaboration with the National
Reproductive and Child Health Programme has included screening for HIV and syphilis in the essential
package of ante-natal care services for all pregnant women. This will enable India to eliminate both HIV and
syphilis in the new born.
So far, NACP has been following the 2007 Operational Guidelines for Integrated Counselling and Testing
Centres. In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) released the ‘Consolidated guidelines on HIV
testing services, 2015’. India being a signatory to the global 90:90:90 targets, felt the need to update the
existing operational guidelines for rapid scale up of HCTS to reach the first 90.
Early testing and diagnosis, on a voluntary basis, is the gateway to HIV prevention, treatment, care and
other support services. The challenge is to increase access to and uptake of HIV testing among priority
populations. This warrants different innovative strategic approaches suitable for implementation across
different states and union territories of India.
HCTS continues to envisage the provision of comprehensive services in an integrated manner, and not limited
to HIV testing. HCTS comprises of (i) counselling (pre-test counselling, informed consent and post-test
counselling); (ii) testing and prompt delivery of test results with embedded quality assurance;(iii) ensuring
audio-visual privacy and confidentiality; and (iv) linkages to appropriate HIV prevention, care, support and
treatment services. India meticulously follows the “5 Cs (Consent, Confidentiality, Counselling, Correct test
results and Connection)”, as articulated in the WHO ‘Consolidated Guidelines on HIV Testing Services,
2015’, since the introduction of voluntary counselling and testing services for HIV.
The present ‘National HIV Counselling and Testing Services Guidelines 2016’ provides extensive details on
the different strategic approaches with implementation plan to scale up the reach and coverage of services
to priority populations.

Summary of Key Changes:
NACO has made significant advances in terms of how HIV counselling and testing services will be offered
across the country going forward. The major changes from the 2007 Operational Guidelines for Integrated
Counselling and Testing Centres are highlighted below:
1. All HCTS facilities have been divided into two groups:

· Screening Facility (F-ICTC, PPP-ICTC, TI-ICTC, OPD, IPD, Emergency wards etc.), and
· Confirmatory Facility (SA-ICTC)
2. Community-based HIV screening approaches have been included in the present National HIV
Counselling and Testing Services Guidelines, 2016 to improve access to HIV testing.
3. Three different Public Private Partnership models have been introduced to increase HIV testing and
improve data sharing practices in the private sector.
4. Counselling remains one of the key pillars of HIV services, NACO endeavours to standardize pre-test
and post-test counselling at both the screening and confirmatory facilities and detailed notes for the
same have been included in these guidelines. However, the post-test counselling and the follow-up
counselling sessions shall now be customized to the patient being tested - such as pregnant women,
adolescents, HRG etc.
5. To promote early detection of co-infections, all individuals accessing ICTCs will now be verbally
screened for TB, STI/RTI and other co-infections by the counsellor.
6. Standard operating procedures for all counsellors at screening and confirmatory facilities have been
created to enable them to carry out these additional responsibilities with ease. Additionally, standard
operating procedures have been included for all ICTC personnel conducting HIV tests at the HCTS
facility.
7. New sections on (a) HIV-TB collaborative activities, (b) linkages, (c) supply chain management,
(d) IEC activities, (e) information management system and (f) testing for syphilis at the HCTS testing
facility have also been added.
Keeping these changes in mind, updated information on trainings has also been outlined in these guidelines.
The major changes in the training section include a section on HIV-TB, information management systems,
and a model on supportive supervision system.

2
Hiv Counselling and Testing Service Delivery Strategies

An individual’s knowledge of their HIV status is crucial to the success of the national programme. PLHIV
who are unaware of their HIV status need to be diagnosed as early as possible after infection. However,
through the existing approaches, only about two-thirds of the estimated PLHIV have been diagnosed. Thus,
to reach the remaining PLHIV, it is important to have cost-effective HCTS delivery approaches.
NACO is augmenting efforts to scale up HCTS for priority populations with a special focus on reaching the
unreached. A strategic mix of HCTS has been planned to facilitate early diagnosis of HIV amongst priority
populations. The aim is to maximize efficiency and cost-effectiveness while ensuring equity.
Every effort needs to be made to ensure timely and prompt linkage of those found HIV-positive to treatment,
care and support services. Likewise, all those individuals found non-reactive for HIV should be appropriately
counselled, referred and linked for follow-up HIV testing, while ensuring privacy and confidentiality.
2.1 Priority populations for HCTS

The focus should be on the following priority populations:
1. Infants and children

A child may acquire HIV from the HIV infected mother-in-utero (during pregnancy), peripartum
(during delivery), postpartum (through breastfeeding) or via parenteral exposure through infected
needles and syringes. Early diagnosis of HIV infection in infants/children is very important to plan
their care, support and treatment, and to reduce morbidity and mortality.
All newborn babies of HIV-positive mothers and infants/children with signs or symptoms suggestive
of HIV infection should be tested for HIV.
2. Adolescents (age group 10–19 years)

Adolescents are vulnerable to HIV due to physical and emotional transition, and potentially
heightened risk-taking behaviour. The NACP, in collaboration with the ‘Rashtriya Kishore Swasthya
Karyakram (RKSK)’, focuses on early diagnosis of HIV and appropriate referral linkages to address
high-risk behaviour, reproductive, sexual, STI/RTI and HIV-related issues among adolescents. If the
adolescent is below 18 years of age, informed consent of the parent/guardian needs to be obtained
for HIV testing.
3. Pregnant and breastfeeding women

Mother-to-child transmission of HIV during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding is the primary cause
of HIV infection among children. It is estimated that without any intervention, the risk of transmission
of HIV from infected mother to her child is between 20% and 45%. With appropriate interventions,
this risk of HIV transmission can be reduced to less than 5% in breastfed children.
The Government of India is committed to eliminating HIV and syphilis amongst newborns through universal
screening of pregnant women for HIV and syphilis as an essential component of the ANC service package.
To achieve this objective, on-going PPTCT services are being implemented in close collaboration with the

Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Programme of the National Health Mission (NHM). Even pregnant
women coming direct in labour and breastfeeding women need to be tested for HIV and syphilis, if not tested
during pregnancy.
For further details, please refer to -

 “Updated National PPTCT Guidelines, December 2013”
 “National Strategic Plan on PPTCT, December 2013”
4. Occupational exposure
Health-care workers exposed to infected material, with a possible risk of acquiring HIV, need to be
referred to HCTS before initiating any Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and, after completion of the
PEP course, for follow-up HIV testing.
5. Emergency settings (casualty)

Patients who present with signs and symptoms suggestive of HIV/AIDS in emergency health-care
setting need to be offered HCTS in the same emergency health-care setting.
6. Patients with Kala-azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis)

In India, Kala-azar is reported to be endemic in 54 districts spread across Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar
Pradesh and West Bengal. It is one of the opportunistic infections (OIs) seen among PLHIV. Morbidity
and mortality is high in HIV and Kala-azar co-infected patients. Hence, the NACP and the National
Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme have recommended that HCTS should be offered to all
Kala-azar patients and persons suspected to have Kala-azar.
7. Tuberculosis patients including presumptive TB cases

Since TB is the most common OI and leading cause of mortality in PLHIV, all TB patients and
presumptive TB cases need to be tested for HIV. Partners of known HIV-positive TB patients should
also be offered HCTS with mutual disclosure. Likewise, all individuals availing HCTS should be
verbally screened for TB and all eligible symptomatic persons should be promptly referred to TB
diagnostic facilities under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP).
8. STI / RTI attendees and patients

In India, HIV transmission is mostly through the sexual route. An unprotected sexual encounter with
a casual sexual partner may put the individual at risk of acquiring STIs including HIV. As patients
with STI / RTI are at higher risk of acquiring HIV infection, all STI / RTI attendees should be offered
HCTS.
9. Sexual partners / spouses of PLHIV (couples)

The chance of transmission of HIV from the index PLHIV to their sexual partner is the highest.
Hence, efforts should be made to test all sexual partners for HIV with counselling support for mutual
disclosure.
10. High-risk groups (HRGs)
HRGs comprising core groups such as FSWs, MSM, IDUs, TS/TG and bridge populations such as
migrants and truckers have a higher risk of acquiring HIV infection due to multiple casual sexual
partners and risky sexual practices. Thus, for early diagnosis and prevention of HIV, HCTS should be
routinely offered to all HRGs.
11. Prison inmates

Voluntary HIV testing should be an integral part of the health-care package for prison inmates.
12. Persons who have undergone sexual assault

HCTS should be offered to all individuals who have faced sexual assault. Such individuals should
also be counselled for follow-up testing and care should be taken to avoid any form of stigmatization.
2.2 Flow of individuals for accessing HCTS

Individuals can access HCTS in two ways:
1. “Self- initiated”: Individuals who self-perceive their risk and need for HIV testing and thus voluntarily
approach for HCTS.
2. “Provider-initiated”: Individuals referred by a health-care provider for HIV testing.
In case of provider-initiated HCTS, the individual must receive pre-test counselling about HIV testing to
make an informed choice, with an option to “opt-out”. The process of informed consent and information
related to testing should be documented in the counselling register. Health-care providers should offer HCTS
in a confidential manner, without stigma or discrimination. The HIV screening test may be done in the
outpatient department (OPD)/ inpatient department (IPD)/ emergency settings or at a general laboratory. If
the individual is found reactive for HIV at screening, such individuals should be referred to a SA-ICTC with
a Linkage form (Annexure B1) for confirmation of the HIV diagnosis. All individuals found HIV positive at
SA-ICTC should be promptly linked to an ART centre.
NACP also recommends the establishment of provider-initiated HIV screening at all designated STI / RTI
clinics (DSRCs) and designated microscopy centres (DMCs) under the RNTCP.
Box 2.1: Provider-initiated HCTS may be offered to the following priority populations:
a) All pregnant women

b) Babies born to HIV-positive women
c) Untested children of women living with HIV (WLHIV)
d) Children presenting with suboptimal growth or severe acute malnutrition, delay in developmental
milestones, oral thrush, severe pneumonia and sepsis
e) Patients who present with signs and symptoms suggestive of HIV/AIDS in any health-care setting
including emergency

f) Individuals who faced sexual assault
g) Before initiating PEP and as a follow-up testing
h) Patients with TB or presumptive TB, Kala-azar, hepatitis B or C, or STI/RTI
i) STI/RTI clinic attendees
j) Sexual partners/spouses of PLHIV
k) Any other situation where the health-care provider feels HIV testing is essential
2.3 Roles and responsibilities of HCTS personnel

Key personnel involved in HCTS:
1. NACO
2. SACS
3. District ICTS Supervisor
4. HCTS facilities (Screening and Confirmatory Facility)
The key responsibilities of each of these personnel are detailed in the following section:
2.3.1 NACO Personnel

Strategy formulation
 Based on need and situation analysis, supervise the formulation, implementation and achievements
of National & State/UT annual physical and financial plan for HCTS services
 Facilitate the development and implementation of strategies/protocols/standards etc. laid down by
NACO
 Facilitate the meetings of related Technical Resource Groups/committees etc.
Supervision
 Supervise the implementation of HCTS activities in all States/UTs
 Handholding SACS in the implementation of HCTS technical and operational guidelines for ensuring
efficient functioning of HCTS activities
 Supervise the related HR needs assessment and training plan for capacity building of staff, ensuring
the effective implementation of training modules
 Ensure information system management
 Monitor, supervise and ensure Supply Chain Management (SCM) for all related diagnostics,
pharmaceuticals and other logistics across the country

 Supervise, guide and mentor the efficient functioning of concerned subordinate offices and
functionaries
 Undertake field visits to the relevant health facilities including teaching, training and research
institutes, up to peripheral levels in all States/UTs
Coordinate with other Government functionaries

 Liaison with National Health Mission (NHM), various development partners, public and private
sector institutions, NGOs, professional bodies etc.
 Co-ordination with SACS, TSUs, DAPCUs etc.
 Provide technical support to NACP for related operational research
 Assist in preparing the draft material for replies to Parliament Questions/RTIs/ Court cases/
Parliamentary committees etc.
 Facilitate related ACSM activities
 Ensure quality and management standards in all programmatic activities
Others
All other works related to execution of listed activities and any other relevant work as and when assigned
2.3.2 SACS Personnel

Supervision of HCTS facilities
 Monitor and supervise the implementation of ICTC/PPTCT/HIV-TB programme in the state & timely
report the progress to NACO.
 Plan and supervise the implementation of scale-up plan for HCTS facilities to the level of CHCs,
24 × 7 PHCs and Private Sector health institutions
 Undertake field visits to HCTS facilities in the State, especially to poorly performing centres
 Organize quarterly review meetings of ICTC District Supervisors and all Counsellors of HCTS facilities
Training and Capacity Building of HCTS facilities

 Supervise the selection and training of counsellors and LTs for HCTS facilities
 Supervise the selection, training and posting of district coordinators for HCTS facilities in A and B
category districts
 Monitor the quality of training/capacity building being imparted in institutions of excellence identified
by NACO for training of counsellors and LTs from the state
Planning and forecasting

 Prepare the State annual physical and financial plan for HCTS facilities
 Make annual forecast of rapid test kits and consumables and prophylactic Nevirapine required for
HCTS facilities

 Ensure 100% timely reporting in SIMS for all HCTS facilities and data quality monitoring for
consistency, correctness and completeness
 Supply chain monitoring of HIV rapid test kits and other consumables required for HCTS facilities
including service delivery point wise monitoring for variances and reporting to NACO on monthly
basis
Coordination with other Government Departments

 Liaise with senior officials of the National Health Mission (NHM) and conduct coordination meetings
regularly at State level
 Liaise with the State TB officer and conduct meetings of the State HIV-TB coordination committee
every quarter
 Coordinate with other division of SACS like CST, TI, STI & RNTCP
 Assist the Project Director in preparing replies to Legislature/Parliament Questions, reports to various
Departments of the State Government including the Department of Health and Family Welfare on
issues pertaining to ICTC/PPTCT/HIV-TB
2.3.3 District Personnel

The main function of District ICTC Supervisor is to coordinate and monitor HIV testing services in the district
according to NACO/SACS policies and guidelines. S/he is responsible for planning and implementation of
HIV programme, extensive monitoring of the programme activities implementation by the service delivery
facilities, capacity building of the peripheral units’ staff and coordination with key players involved in the
HIV programme implementation in the district. In districts which do not have a DAPCU, a senior ICTC
counsellor may be nominated as District ICTC Supervisor.
Responsibilities of the District ICTC Supervisor are as given below:
 Programme Planning: Assume the responsibility of planning HIV activities by the HIV/AIDS facilities
based on the epidemiological profile, location and performance of the facility following the NACP and
SACS priorities for developing more realistic plans. The planning will be done under the guidance of
the DPM in collaboration with the other DAPCU members
 Programme Implementation: Support DACO and DPM in facilitating effective implementation of the
approved plan based on SACS operational and implementation guidelines for different components
of the programme for achieving the desired outcomes
 Monitoring and Reporting: Be responsible for monitoring the programme activities through different
forums to gauge the programme directions, use and encourage the facility staff to make informed
decisions for sound implementation, and ensure reporting of quality data and information through
the preparation of periodic reports for submission to SACS/NACO
 Capacity Building: Assess the capacity building needs of facility-level staff and in consultation
with the DACO/DPM address the gaps locally or centrally as per SACS directives to enhance their
performance for better programme outcomes

 Coordination: Support the DACO for coordinating with the district administration, related line
departments and non-governmental partners working in the sector to enhance the convergence to
bring better synergy and promote NACP activities in the district
 In addition to the above, the position will carry out additional responsibilities as assigned by the
DACO or DPM to address the programme needs and priorities
The key responsibilities of personnel at HCTS facilities are outlined in the sections below.
2.4 HCTS delivery approaches

HCTS are delivered in two ways – (a) Facility-based services and (b) Community-based services
2.4.1 Facility-based HCTS

Facility-based HCTS (screening or confirmation) are offered to individuals accessing health-care facilities
functioning as per the OPD timings of the institution where the HCTS facility is located. However, SACS
should ensure that at least HIV screening test services are available after normal work hours.
All the concerned functionaries need to ensure privacy, confidentiality and safe custody of the personal
information and test results of the individual. The package of services at different HCTS facilities is
summarized in Table 2.1.
Table 2.1: Service package at different HCTS facilities
S.No. Types of HCTS Institution where HCTS facility can Package of HIV testing services as per
facility be established the National HCTS Guidelines, 2016
1 HCTS - Government healthcare facilities - Pre-test counselling and informed

Confirmatory under Central, State and consent
facility corporation administration of the - HIV testing
level of medical college, general
- Post-test counselling & disclosure
hospital, district hospital, sub-
district hospital and community - Early infant diagnosis (EID)
health centre (CHC) - Testing of sexual partner/spouse
- Health facilities under public sector - Screening for STI/RTI, TB and other co-
undertakings infections
- Private medical colleges - Linkages to care and treatment and other

health services
- Public-private partnership facilities
- Linkage to social welfare schemes
- Mobile SA-ICTC - Outreach activity
- Targeted intervention (TI-based - Follow-up testing and counselling
SA-ICTC)
- Follow up of discordant couple
- Act as a nodal point for coordination,
supportive supervision, capacity building
and supply chain management of all
F-ICTCs

S.No. Types of HCTS Institution where HCTS facility can Package of HIV testing services as per
facility be established the National HCTS Guidelines, 2016
2 HCTS Screening - F-ICTC - Pre-test counselling and informed

facility - Government Health Facility consent
(PHC/CHC/SDH) - HIV screening
- OPD/IPD/Emergency ward - Screening for STI/RTI, TB and other co-
- Mobile F-ICTC infections
- Public-private partnership facility - Post-test counselling
- Health facilities under corporations - Linkages to SA-ICTC for confirmation of

and public sector undertakings diagnosis and care and treatment
- Private medical colleges - Linkage to other health services
- TI-based
- Designated microscopy centre
(DMC)
- Designated STI/RTI Clinics (DSRC)
2.4.1.1 Stand-Alone ICTC (SA-ICTC)

1. Physical infrastructure
The SA-ICTC facility should be located at an easily accessible place with proper signages to direct
and guide people to the location. The SA-ICTC facility should consist of at least two rooms, one for
counselling and the other for testing.
i. Counselling room
The counselling room should be at least 15’X15’ in size (225 sq. ft.) with ventilation standards
of 6–12 air changes per hour (ACH) to reduce the risk of air-borne infection to the staff and
individuals accessing HCTS. The room should ensure audio-visual privacy. This room should be
furnished with a desk and chair for the counsellor, another 10–15 chairs for group counselling
sessions, a lockable filing cabinet for keeping records, and a desktop computer with a computer
table along with UPS and printer. The SA-ICTC should have functional internet connectivity. It
should be equipped with the following communication and educational aids:
· TV and DVD player in a lockable stand
· Wall-hanging posters and information materials for display
· Flip charts, and penis model for demonstration of condom use
· Leaflets/pamphlets as take-home material
ii. Blood collection and testing room
The blood collection and testing room should have an area of at least 10’x10’ in size (100 sq.
ft.), furnished with a desk, a chair and a workstation, and should preferably be co-located with
a counselling room. The testing room should also have a comfortable seating arrangement for

the individual accessing HCTS. The laboratory should be equipped with one refrigerator with
voltage stabilizer, thermometer, centrifuge, needle destroyer, micropipette and colour-coded
waste disposal bins with disposable polybags, as per the NACO HIV Testing Guidelines 2015.
The availability of the following laboratory consumables should be ensured for collection and testing of
blood:
· Sterile needles and syringes/vacutainers

· Disposable gloves
· Vials and tubes for collection and storage of blood
· Cotton swabs
· Cleaning material such as spirit/antiseptic lotion/Distilled water
· Bleach/hypochlorite solution
·• Micro tips for use in micropipettes
Box 2.2: Infection control and protection of staff
The staff working in the blood collection room and laboratory should adopt the universal work precautions.
A detailed description of the universal precautions is provided in the National HIV Testing Guidelines
2015. In case of accidental exposure of any staff member to HIV infection, PEP must be administered
within the stipulated time frame. The protocol for administration of PEP is available on NACO website.
Air-borne infection control (AIC): To prevent the transmission of TB and other air-borne infections, an
HCTS facility should carry out the following activities:
 Ensure cross-ventilation at the waiting hall, hallway, counsellor room and testing room
 Educate and counsel on cough hygiene for persons with cough
 Fast-track persons with cough to appropriate service delivery points, including TB diagnosis
2. Major responsibilities of staff at SA-ICTC

The details of deployment, training, orientation, major roles/responsibilities and activities of the
different staff at SA-ICTC are highlighted in Table 2.2.
1. Medical Officer, In-charge of SA-ICTC
Criteria and mechanism of deployment: The administrative head of the institution where the SA-
ICTC is located will nominate a medical officer as officer in-charge of the SA-ICTC.
Essential orientation /training requirement: Three days by the State AIDS Control Society (SACS)

Table 2.2: SA-ICTC staff roles and responsibilities
Major roles and

Major activities to execute roles and responsibilities
responsibilities
Maintain attendance  Ensure punctuality and facilitate timely payment of salaries to the SA-ICTC staff
register
Sensitization  Ensure that all staff at institution where SA-ICTC/linked F-ICTCs is located are
sensitized on NACP including HCTS
Conduct capacity
 Ensure induction and periodic refresher training of staff at SA-ICTC and linked F-ICTCs
building of staff
Ensure supply  Forecast requirement of kits and commodities for SA-ICTC & linked F-ICTCs basis
chain and logistics estimated requirement per month
management of kits  Monitor and ensure supplies of kits and all HCTS related commodities from SACS and
and all other HCTS- their proper utilization, ensuring that the kits do not expire
related commodities
 First expiry first out (FEFO) principle must be followed
at the SA-ICTC and
linked F-ICTCs. The  Ensure availability of stocks of rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits and consumables at
log and inventory all times by timely indenting and coordinating with district HIV/AIDS nodal office and
management should SACS
be as per the NACO  Ensure availability of condoms at SA-ICTC & linked F-ICTCs including condom
Guidelines demonstration models
 Ensure that requisite space, equipment & information, education & communication
(IEC) materials for efficient functioning of SA-ICTC/ linked F-ICTCs are made available
Monitoring and  Ensure that medical officer’s validated and signed laboratory reports are provided on
supportive supervision the same day to individuals tested for HIV
of staff at the SA-ICTC  In the absence of medical officer In-charge, any other doctor in the health facility is
and linked F-ICTCs, authorized to sign the test report after duly verifying the records
to ensure quality of
 Ensure that HIV testing is as per National HIV Testing Protocol
service
 Facilitate maintenance of equipment at SA-ICTC
 Conduct monthly in-depth review of all activities of SA-ICTC and ensure timely &
appropriate corrective actions
 Review and validate daily maintenance of all records and registers at SA-ICTC, as per
the National HCTS guidelines
 Review the monthly report of the SA-ICTC for completeness and correctness, before
the report is uploaded in SIMS by the 5th of every month. Also ensure that quarterly
report shared by SA-ICTC is complete and correct.
 Recording and data entry needs to be done daily and periodically reviewed for quality.
Ensure accuracy of data generated by SA-ICTC staff by cross-checking with the
registers maintained in the SA-ICTC
 Facilitate the supportive supervision of staff of linked F-ICTCs through the SA-ICTC
counsellor and laboratory technician to ensure quality of service

Major roles and
responsibilities
Demand generation  Appropriately engage community and opinion leaders
for HCTS: plan and  Coordinate with NGOs conducting targeted interventions to strengthen linkages
implement activities
 Liaise with professional bodies such as the Indian Medical Association (IMA),
to mobilize priority
Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI), Indian
populations for HCTS
Association of Paediatrics (IAP), etc. to strengthen linkages with private health-care
institutions
 Engage organizations and community-based structures such as truck owners’
associations, labour unions, NSS, youth clubs, self-help groups, not-for-profit
organizations, etc. to increase HCTS uptake
Quality assurance
(QA) in all HCTS
 Adhere to NACO’s quality assurance guidelines and standard operating procedures
components at the
(SOPs), as detailed in the guidelines
SA-ICTC and linked
F-ICTCs
2. Counsellor
Criteria and mechanism of deployment: One counsellor appointed on a contractual basis. In the
SA-ICTC where counselling is required to be done for more than 500 individuals in a month, an
additional counsellor may be appointed, based on the review by a committee comprising the project
director (PD) of the concerned SACS as chairman, and two experts from the fields of counselling and
testing as members. The counsellor reports to the medical officer in-charge of the SA-ICTC.
Essential orientation/training requirement: Counsellor should be a graduate degree holder in
Psychology/Social Work/Sociology/ Anthropology/Human Development OR diploma in Nursing with
minimum 3 years of experience in HIV/AIDS. In case of those recruited from community of people
infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS, graduates from any field or diploma in Nursing may be
considered if they have minimum 1 year of experience in HIV/AIDS. It is desirable that counsellor
holds post-graduate degree in Psychology (MA/MSc) or Social Work. As per contract, counsellor
needs to undergo the integrated induction and refresher training as per NACO Guidelines.
Major roles and

responsibilities
Deliver the counselling  Ensure that each individual tested for HIV is given pre-test counselling, post-
package as detailed in test counselling & follow-up counselling, ensuring audio-visual privacy and
Chapter 3 on Counselling confidentiality
in these HCTS guidelines  Provide psychosocial support to individuals for accepting HIV test results
 With the consent of PLHIV, counsel and prepare the family for acceptance and
support the PLHIV
 Home visit to PLHIV with prior consent, is one of the outreach activities. The
visit is to be planned based on need, such as loss of linkage, or non-compliance
to the prescribed services
IEC  Well-designed and communicative signages should be displayed at strategic
points, guiding individuals for easy access to the HCTS facility
 Posters, flip books, penis model for condom demonstration, public educational
material, short videos and films must be efficiently utilized in the SA-ICTC
 Posters on standardized dashboard indicators should be displayed (Annexure C7)

Major roles and
responsibilities
Priority populations  As detailed above
Referral and linkage  Please refer to Chapter 6 on Linkage in these guidelines
 Report to the medical officer/in-charge of the SA-ICTC on the stock situation
Supply chain and logistics
of registers, condoms and IEC materials in the SA-ICTC and place an indent
management
accordingly
 Maintain counselling records and registers, and prepare monthly report for
Maintenance of records upload in SIMS by 5th of every month. Also, prepare quarterly SIMS report.
and reports, including data  Update details of HIV-positive individuals on a weekly basis in PLHIV ART
analysis Linkage System (PALS)
 Prepare a monthly/quarterly /annual data analysis and display the updates
 Facilitate and monitor linkages and referrals to and from the ICTC
 Conduct supportive supervision of the staff of linked F-ICTCs, to ensure quality of

Supportive supervision
services
3. Lab Technician
Criteria and mechanism of deployment: One LT appointed on a contractual basis, with less than
10,000 annual test load. For every additional 5,000 annual tests, one additional LT, subject to the
maximum of three LTs, may be appointed on a contractual basis. The LT will report to the medical
officer in-charge of the SA-ICTC.
Essential orientation/training requirement: LT should hold at minimum a Diploma in Medical
Laboratory Technology (DMLT) from state government-approved institution. However, the services of
the existing LTs who do not hold DMLT may continue if they have done Certificate Course in Medical
Laboratory Technology and have over 5 years of experience working in ICTC. As per contract, LT
needs to undergo the 5-days induction and 3-days refresher training as per the NACO guidelines.
Major roles and

responsibilities
Testing for HIV (as  Ensure that the laboratory premises and workstation are maintained as per the infection
detailed in Chapter control protocols (Refer to the National HIV Testing Guidelines 2015)
4 on HIV testing in  Ensure maintenance of all laboratory equipment including cold chain of test kits
these guidelines)
 Conduct testing for HIV as per NACO testing protocols following SOPs
 Follow internal and external quality assurance procedures
 Collect dried blood spot (DBS) specimens for EID Following SOPs as per NACO protocols
 Follow universal safety precautions and strictly adhere to biomedical waste management
guidelines
 Document separately results of HIV test and DBS collection result in their respective lab
registers, on a daily basis
Supply chain and  Report to the medical officer in-charge SA-ICTC on stock situation of HIV test kits and
logistics manage- related commodities, registers in SA-ICTC and place indent accordingly to ensure all-time
ment availability of all these items

Major roles and
responsibilities
Maintenance of re-  Ensure that the lab report duly signed by the medical officer is recorded in the Lab regis-
ports and records ter. Share this signed Lab report with the counsellor, on the same day
and submission of  Update laboratory, EID card,and stock register daily
reports as per the
norms.  Submit weekly stock report to district HIV/AIDS nodal officer through the in-charge medi-
cal officer
 Complete the laboratory section information in monthly SIMS report format for timely
uploading of monthly report in SIMS by counsellor. Also, complete the relevant sections in
SIMS quarterly report.
 Ensure timely submission of EID reports (Annexure D3)
Supportive super-  Conduct supportive supervision of the staff of linked F-ICTCs, to ensure quality of services
vision
(Refer to Chapter 7 on Capacity building and supportive supervision)
2.4.1.2 Facility-integrated counselling and testing centres (F-ICTC)

To increase the access of at-risk populations to HCTS in a cost-effective manner, NACO in addition to
establishing SA-ICTC at the CHC and higher levels, has evolved a strategy with the RCH programme for
integrating HIV screening at all primary health centres (PHCs) and delivery points across India. They are
labelled as facility integrated counselling and testing centres (F-ICTCs) and should be appropriately linked to
the nearest SA-ICTC. HIV screening at all F-ICTCs will be implemented through their existing staff with due
sensitization, orientation, guidance, monitoring and supervision by the linked SA-ICTC.
This mechanism of taking HCTS closer to the people may increase the uptake of services while reducing
transportation costs and waiting times. Further, integrating HCTS into the general health system will ensure
sustainability, cost-effectiveness and facilitate the mainstreaming of HCTS. This will also ensure achievement
of the national objectives of eliminating HIV and syphilis among newborns.
Proper signages should direct and guide people to reach the site and functionary for HIV screening. To
ensure audio-visual privacy and confidentiality during HIV screening and counselling, the health facility
should earmark a suitable room with good cross-ventilation to prevent air-borne infection.
The facility will use whole blood finger-prick test kits for HIV screening. Need-based quantities of these test
kits to be supplied on a regular basis by the district HIV/AIDS nodal officer through the linked SA-ICTC.
In case of unavailability of whole blood finger prick test kits, the facility should inform the linked SA-ICTC
immediately and they should either (a) advise the individual to either visit the nearest HCTS facility or(b) test
the individual using the serum/ plasma Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) HIV test kit (if available).
These test kits need to be stored between 2°C to 8 °C in the refrigerator available at the health facility.
The temperature track indicator (TTI) should be monitored regularly for any change in colour, by the staff
in-charge of HIV screening. Kits that show a change in colour in the TTI should not be used and promptly
replaced through the linked SA-ICTC. The generated bio-waste should be disposed of as per the infection
control guidelines.

HCTS related major roles and responsibilities of F-ICTC staff are summarized in Table 2.3
Table 2.3: F-ICTC staff roles and responsibilities

Staff of health Major roles and
facility functioning responsibilities in the Major activities to execute roles and responsibilities
as F-ICTC context of HIV screening
Medical officer in- HIV and syphilis  Ensure that all pregnant women are screened for HIV and
charge screening of all pregnant syphilis
women within the  Refer all those pregnant women found reactive for HIV
jurisdiction of health screening to linked SA-ICTC for HIV diagnosis and further
facility necessary action
 Treat all those pregnant women found to be positive for
syphilis as well as their partners
 Ensure institutional delivery; facilitate newborn HIV/syphilis
testing and treatment as applicable
HIV and syphilis  Ensure that all individuals with high-risk behaviour are
screening of individuals screened for HIV and syphilis
with high-risk behaviour  Ensure that all TB patients or suspects, STI clinic attendees
attending the health and HRGs availing services at this facility are screened for
facility HIV and syphilis
 Refer all those individuals found reactive on HIV screening to
the linked SA-ICTC for HIV diagnosis and further necessary
action
 Ensure that every HIV screening laboratory report is signed
and provide the same to individuals found non-reactive for
HIV screening on the same day
 Treat all those found positive for syphilis as well as their
partners
 Counsel and educate on safer sexual behaviour for
individuals found negative for syphilis
Capacity building  Ensure that all the staff at the health facility where the
F-ICTC is located are sensitized on all aspects of the NACP,
including HIV screening
Supply, logistics and cold  Forecast and share with the linked SA-ICTC about the
chain management of kits number of whole blood finger-prick (WBFP) test kits required
at F-ICTCs. The log and for the F-ICTC based on the estimated requirement per
inventory management month
should be as per the  Monitor and ensure the supplies of these test kits from the
NACO Guidelines. linked SA-ICTC and their proper utilization, ensuring that
the cold chain (2–8 °C) is maintained at all times and kits
do not expire. The principle of first expiry first out (FEFO)
should be followed
 Ensure the availability of stock of WBFP test kits by timely
indent and close coordination with the linked SA-ICTC
 Ensure the demonstration, distribution and availability of
condoms at the F-ICTC
 Ensure that requisite space and IEC materials for efficient
functioning of the F-ICTC are made available

Monitoring and  Ensure that individuals found reactive for HIV are promptly
supportive supervision linked to the SA-ICTC for confirmation of HIV diagnosis and
of staff at F-ICTCs, to further necessary action
ensure quality of service  Ensure that HIV screening is as per the national HIV testing
guidelines
 Regularly review HCTS during monthly meetings of the
health facility staff and ensure timely and appropriate
corrective action
 Review and validate the daily maintenance of all prescribed
HCTS related records and registers at the F-ICTC
 Review the monthly report of the F-ICTC for completeness
and correctness, before the report is uploaded in the SIMS
by the 5th of every month. Ensure that recording and data
entry is done daily and periodically review for quality. Ensure
the accuracy of the data generated by the F-ICTC staff by
cross-checking with the registers maintained in the F-ICTC
 Coordinate with the linked SA-ICTC to address issues that
arise while delivering HCTS
Demand generation for  Appropriately engage community and opinion leaders
HTS: plan and implement  Coordinate with targeted intervention NGOs for strengthening
activities to mobilize referral linkages
priority populations  Liaise with private health-care providers in the jurisdiction of
to increase coverage the health facility to strengthen referral linkages
of HCTS by engaging
 Engage organizations and community-based structures such
accredited social health
as truck owner associations, labour unions, NSS, Youth
activists (ASHAs), PLHIV
Clubs, self-help groups, not–for-profit organizations, etc. to
community and high-risk
enhance access to and uptake of HCTS
community
Internal quality assurance  Adhere to NACO’s internal QA guidelines and SOPs (as
(QA) in F-ICTCs described in Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 of these guidelines)
Any paramedical Deliver the HCTS  Ensure that each individual screened for HIV is given pre-test
staff designated for package (as detailed in counselling with documented informed consent, perform HIV
HIV screening (PHN/ Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 screening test using the whole blood finger-prick test and
LHV/ANM/MPW- on Counselling and HIV given post-test counselling.
male/pharmacist) in testing, respectively, in  Ensure audio-visual privacy and confidentiality
the health facility these guidelines)  If found reactive on HIV screening, link the individual to the
Note: If the facility linked SA-ICTC for confirmation of HIV diagnosis and further
has an LT, HIV necessary action, using Linkage Form
screening tests  If found non-reactive on HIV screening, the laboratory report
should be preferably duly signed by the medical officer should be given to the
carried out by them. individual during post-test counselling, on the same day as
the screening
IEC  Posters, flip books, penis model for condom demonstration,
public education materials, short videos and films should be
efficiently used in the F-ICTC
 Posters on standardized dashboard indicators be displayed
(Annexure C6)

Supply chain and  Report to the medical officer on stock situation of test kits,
logistics management registers, condoms and IEC materials in the F-ICTC and
place an indent accordingly
Records and report  Maintain HCTS related records and registers, and prepare
maintenance, including a monthly report to be uploaded in SIMS by 5th of every
data analysis month. Prepare quarterly SIMS report as well.
Cold chain maintenance  Daily monitor the time temperature Indicator (TTI) of the
HIV testing kits stored as per the required temperature. If
any colour change is noted in the TTI, promptly report to the
medical officer for immediate necessary action.
Testing Individuals at OPD/IPD/Emergency/Casualty wards or General Labs:

It should be noted that each of the in-patient department (IPD)/out-patient department (OPD) etc. will
function as an individual F-ICTCs within an institute where an individual can be screened for HIV, and will
follow the SOPs for an F-ICTC. Proper pre-test counselling and informed consent should be taken from
individuals who are being tested at these facilities. If an individual tests Reactive on the screening test, then
the individual should be linked to Stand-Alone ICTC for confirmatory testing. (refer to Chapter 4 for more
details)
Testing Pregnant Women:

Auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) along with accredited social health activists (ASHAs) should identify all
the pregnant women in hard-to-reach areas and ensure that they undergo HIV screening. The identified
paramedical staff for HIV and syphilis screening at the F-ICTC should coordinate with the concerned sub-
centre ANMs as well as ASHAs and make a monthly plan (dates, venues, estimated number of pregnant
women) for conducting HIV and syphilis screening as an outreach activity, in confidential settings. The kits
should be carried in a carrier that maintains the cold chain. Unused kits should be promptly returned to
the F-ICTC while maintaining the cold chain. The HIV screening conducted at Sub centers or during VHND
should be documented in the SIMS F -ICTC monthly report of the linked PHC. All the health facilities must
try to conduct delivery of HIV positive pregnant women registered at their facility. DAPCU and SACS must
ensure that safe delivery kits and ARV prophylaxis are made available at these facilities.
In case any HIV positive pregnant woman arrives at a facility for delivery, the facility must use HIV Positive
Pregnant Women Delivery Register (Annexure A11) to capture all the necessary information about the
pregnant woman and the outcome of her pregnancy.
The HIV screening conducted in Labour ward for direct in labour cases (un booked cases) should be reported
in the monthly F-ICTC SIMS report (Annexure C 2)
The sexual partners/spouses of pregnant women who are found reactive for HIV/syphilis or both should also
be screened for HIV and syphilis. Additionally, partners/spouses of pregnant women who are found non-
reactive for HIV/syphilis but fall under any high risk group category must be screened for HIV and syphilis.
Sexual partner/spouse notification is a sensitive issue and requires utmost care and confidentiality.

All individuals found HIV reactive with the whole blood finger-prick (WBFP) test should be promptly linked
to the SA-ICTC for confirmation of HIV diagnosis and further necessary action.
All individuals found to be syphilis reactive with the WBFP test (POC) should be promptly treated at the
same health facility, as per the prescribed national guidelines.
2.4.1.3 Unique PID (Person Identification Digit) Code

Unique PID number for SA-ICTC
Every individual will be allocated a 23 digit unique code, to be allocated on the following basis:
Digits Meaning
First 2 digits Type of Individual [PW/GC]
Second 6 digits Reporting Unit [SAICTC]
Third 2 digits State Code
Fourth 3 digits District Code
Fifth 3 digits ICTC Centre Number
Sixth 2 digits Year
Last 5 digits Individual Serial Number
Example:
23 digit Unique PID number expressed as PW SAICTC AP APR 001 15 00001 can be translated as
described below:
 First 2 digits reflect type of individual which is Pregnant woman in this case
 Second 6 digits reflect that the reporting unit is SAICTC and the same code will apply to all SAICTC
 Next 2 digits reflect state code which is AP i.e. Andhra Pradesh
 Next 3 digits reflect district code which is APR i.e. Anantapur
 Next 3 digits reflect ICTC number which is 001
 Next 2 digits stand for the year which in this case is 15 reflecting year of 2015
 Last 5 digits are unique to the ICTC individual
Unique PID number for F-ICTC

Every individual will be allocated a 23 digit unique code, to be allocated on the following basis:
Digits Meaning
First 2 digits Type of Individual [PW/GC]
Second 5 digits Reporting Unit [FICTC]
Third 2 digits State Code
Fourth 3 digits District Code
Fifth 4 digits ICTC Centre Number
Sixth 2 digits Year
Last 5 digits Individual Serial Number

Example:
23 digit Unique PID number expressed as GC FICTC AP APR 0001 15 00001 can be translated as
described below:
 First 2 digits reflect type of individual which is General Individual in this case
 Second 6 digits reflect that the reporting unit is FICTC and the same code will apply to all FICTC
 Next 2 digits reflect state code which is AP i.e. Andhra Pradesh
 Next 3 digits reflect district code which is APR i.e. Anantapur
 Next 4 digits reflect ICTC number which is 0001
 Next 2 digits stand for the year which in this case is 15 reflecting year of 2015
 Last 5 digits are unique to the ICTC individual

Flow of activities at HCTS facility
Figure 2.1: Process flow for HCTS screening facility

Figure 2.2: Process flow for HCTS Confirmatory Facility (SA-ICTC)

Note:
 All efforts must be made by the counsellors at the HCTS facilities to explore the details of the
previous HIV testing and availability of the PID number. If the PID number of the previous test
is available, then that PID number should be used for all subsequent tests. If the individual has
been tested previously but the PID number is unavailable, then provide a new PID number to the
individual and record as “No” in the column labelled “Previous PID available?” in the counselling
registers.
 In case of unavailability of whole blood finger prick test kits, HCTS screening facility should
inform the linked SA-ICTC immediately and they should either (a) advise the individual to visit
the nearest HCTS facility or (b) test the individual using the serum plasma Rapid Diagnostic Test
(RDT) HIV test kit (if available).
 In case of unavailability of kits at the SA-ICTC, the facility should inform District/SACS immediately.
Please follow the below procedure in case of rare situations such as:
o When the facility has only 2 types of test kits available and the individual is symptomatic
for AIDS defining illness, then Strategy II (B) explained in Chapter 4 of this guideline should
be used for HIV diagnosis
o When the facility has only 1 type of test kit available and if the result of this test kit is
reactive then the individual should be linked to other SA-ICTC immediately or sample may
be transported to the nearest SA-ICTC for confirmation of HIV diagnosis, or sample may be
stored following standard guidelines till the test kits are made available.
o In such cases, the linked screening centres should be informed and referral should be
directed to other SA-ICTC.
 In case of unavailability of the lab technician at the SA-ICTC, the following steps should be
undertaken:
o The facility should inform District/ SACS immediately
o If an individual arrives for HIV testing, lab technician from other programs might be utilized
to conduct his/her HIV testing. Else, sample of the individual must be sent to the nearest
facility for conducting the test
 HCTS facilities are advised to create rubber stamps – one with the Name and Address of the
facility and another with the fixed digits of the UID code (14 digits Code of ICTC – to reduce
documentation time in the forms. Please refer to (Annexure E3).
2.4.1.5 Public Private Partnership ICTC (PPP- ICTC)

India is a large country with a vast and divergent public sector complemented by an equally large private
sector. Delivering equitable health care in such diverse conditions requires meaningful partnership with the
private sector. The private health sector in India is large and heterogeneous, and includes for-profit providers
of varying capacity, NGOs and even unqualified providers.

NACP has established partnerships with bona-fide registered entities, which include NGOs, community-
based organizations, federation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), registered medical practitioners (allopathic/
AYUSH), hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, health professional bodies and organizations.
The three primary models for establishing a ‘Facility-ICTC’ in the private sector under a Public Private
Partnership (PPP-ICTC) are detailed below. Refer (Annexure E1) for MoUs for the three models of PPP-ICTC.
Table 2.4: Types of PPP-ICTC Models

Type of PPP-ICTC Model Role of NACO/SACS
 Provide training to medical/para-medical staff on National Guidelines and
protocols
 On-going technical support on ICTC/PPTCT/HIV-TB/ART/STI through
regular technical visits by SACS/DAPCU supervisors
 Demand creation through linkages with local NGOs, community-based
Model A: Market-Led Model
organizations etc.
 Linkages for confirmatory HIV testing with SA-ICTC for individuals
screened positive by HIV test kits,and further with ART centre for those
tested positive
 No support for commodities
 Provide training to medical/para-medical staff on National Guidelines and
protocols
 On-going technical support on ICTC/PPTCT/HIV-TB/ART/STI through
regular technical visits by SACS/DAPCU supervisors
 Demand creation through linkages with local NGOs, community-based
Model B: Market Sharing Model organizationsetc.
screened positive by Whole Blood Finger Prick Test (WBFT) kits,and
further with ART centre for those tested positive
 Support of commodities such as HIV diagnostic test kits, PPTCT drugs,
counselling tools, IEC as per requirement
 Provide sensitization to medical/para-medical staff on National Guidelines
 Provide reporting formats and details of reporting systems
 Combined reporting of all various small private health units (combined
into one report per district) as District (name of the district) PPP ICTC
centres
Model C: Data Sharing Model
screened positive by HIV test kits & further with ART centre for those
tested positive
 No training to medical/ para-medical staff
 No support on commodities
2.4.2 Community-based HIV screening approaches

Community-based screening (CBS) is an important approach for improving early diagnosis, reaching first-
time testers and people who seldom use clinical services, including men and adolescents in high-prevalence
settings and HRG populations. To improve HCTS access and coverage, community-based HIV screening is
carried out through various approaches such as:
(i) Mobile HCTS
(ii) Screening by ancillary health-care providers (ANC)
(iii) Screening for HIV by targeted intervention (TI-ICTC)
(iv) HCTS for prison inmates
(v) HCTS at the workplace
2.4.2.1 Mobile HCTS

There are two types of mobile HCTS, the details of which are highlighted in Table 2.4.
Table 2.5: Types of mobile HCTS and their description

Type I: Type II:
Description
Mobile SA-ICTC for HIV confirmatory test Mobile F-ICTC for HIV screening test
A mobile SA-ICTC is a vehicle (van, boat, As per the MoHFW/GoI decision, the existing
etc.) with facilities to conduct HIV testing mobile medical units (MMU) serving hard-to-
and counselling services, and regular reach areas under the NHM should be leveraged
medical and ANC check-up. as mobile F-ICTCs, as per the prescribed norms,
Structure
for conducting HIV screening services (pre-test
The mobile SA-ICTC should function as per counselling, informed consent, HIV screening test
the prescribed norms and standards of the and post-test counselling) in addition to routine
SA-ICTC. activities.
Hard-to-reach areas where the SA-ICTC is

not accessible While following the monthly route plan of NHM
MMUs, the focus should be on hard-to-reach
At least five km away from the nearest fixed areas where HCTS is not available.
Criteria SA- ICTC
This is to be done in close coordination with the
Location of Mobile SA-ICTC should be respective District AIDS Prevention and Control
accessible and acceptable to pregnant Unit (DAPCU)/district HIV nodal officer.
women and HRG communities
Mobilize pregnant women and vulnerable

Mobilize pregnant women and vulnerable
populations in the community through
populations in the community through
networking with community volunteers,
networking with community volunteers, field-
field-level government health functionaries,
level government health functionaries, self-help
Functions Self Help Groups (SHGs), NGOs/Community-
groups, NGOs/Community-Based Organizations
Based Organizations and HRGs and PLHIV
and HRGs and PLHIV community networks.
community networks.
All HCTS functions should be as per the
All HCTS functions should be as per the
prescribed standards for an F-ICTC.
prescribed standards for an SA-ICTC.

Type I: Type II:
Description
Mobile SA-ICTC for HIV confirmatory test Mobile F-ICTC for HIV screening test
HIV screening package as described for the
HCTS as described under the SA-ICTC F-ICTC, in addition to other routine activities of
section MMUs HIV-reactive individuals should be linked
Package of
to the nearest SA-ICTC for confirmation of HIV
HCTS Referral and linkage as detailed in the infection and further necessary action. See other
Chapter 6 on Linkages in these Guidelines linkage as detailed in the Chapter 6 on Linkages
in these Guidelines.
The respective DAPCU/district HIV nodal

officer; Counsellor; Laboratory technician;
Driver (to also support the team in the
As per the prescribed norms of existing MMUs
Staffing organization of clinic functions); Cleaner.
under the NHM
This team may be supported by health
volunteers such as ASHA or any community
volunteer.
Mobile SA-ICTC Mobile F-ICTC

 Should report to DAPCU/district HIV  Will share a copy of the report to linked
nodal officer DAPCU/district HIV nodal officer
Reporting and  Will maintain all records/registers as per  Will maintain all records/registers as per the
information the SA-ICTC norms F-ICTC norms
management
 Will report in SIMS in the standard  Will report in the standard F-ICTC format
SA-ICTC format on a monthly (Annexure C2) on a monthly basis through
basis(Annexure C1)and on quarterly the officer in-charge of MMU to DAPCU/
basis (Annexure C9) district HIV nodal officer
Based on the estimated footfalls, the officer
Based on the estimated footfalls, the mobile in-charge of the MMU will ensure supplies
Logistics ICTC in-charge will ensure supplies and and logistics as per the norms of the F-ICTC,
logistics as per the norms of the SA-ICTC. in coordination with DAPCU/district HIV nodal
officer.
2.4.2.2 HIV testing through trained ancillary health-care providers

To enhance the outreach and coverage of priority populations, the following nursing and paramedical
functionaries have been identified to be trained to conduct HIV screening:
 Public health nurse (PHN)

 Lady health visitor (LHV)
 Auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM)
 Counsellor
 Pharmacist
 Multipurpose worker (MPW)-male
 Peer educator (PE)
 Outreach worker (ORW)
 Other trained ancillary health cadre
2.4.2.3 Screening for HIV by targeted intervention
The NGO-led targeted intervention (TI) programme is an effective strategy to provide HIV prevention and care
services to high-risk populations. The services provided by TI include behaviour change communication,
access to STI services, provision of commodities to ensure safe practices (condoms, opioid substitution
therapy (OST) drugs, and needles and syringes), linkages to HIV testing, care and treatment services, and
creating an enabling environment.
The TI programme is faced with challenges of increasing the coverage of HIV testing, including care and
treatment services among HRGs. Hence, to increase the HIV testing coverage among HRGs, screening for
HIV by targeted intervention is implemented and will ensure that HCTS is easily available and accessible to
high-risk (core and bridge) groups, and priority populations.
The TI programme should ensure 100% coverage of HRGs for HIV screening, while prioritizing newly
registered groups, groups of young people, groups that get repeated STI, abscess, etc. or are not using
condoms or clean needle/syringes regularly; regular partners, babus, etc., or groups that have never been
screened/tested.
HIV screening facilities should be selected before the planned day of screening. High-risk groups should be
identified and facilities (or alternative facilities) should be selected to suit the convenience of the groups. At
all screening facilities, audio-visual privacy should be ensured and informed consent documented.
The following process needs to be followed in implementing screening for HIV by targeted intervention.
1. Micro-planning
 The TI NGO/Community-Based Organizations will develop a detailed monthly micro-plan,
which should include identification of screening site/s, estimated number of individuals to
be screened, date, time, mobilization activity, and referral site for confirmatory testing and a
responsible person for linkages.
 The site-wise list of HRGs and bridge populations who need to undergo HIV screening on
priority needs to be generated from the individual tracking sheet (ITS) before the day of the HIV
screening, and should be discussed with the respective peer educator (PE) and ORW. A project
manager needs to oversee the complete list.
2. Community mobilization
 ORWs and PEs will mobilize the potential individuals based on the lists generated.
 At the field level, HRGs: ORWs and PEs will individually contact the eligible high-risk populations
and ensure that they reach the HIV screening site on the planned day.
 At the field level, bridge group (migrants): ORW and peer leaders (PLs) will conduct interpersonal
communication (IPC) sessions (1 group) in the field with registered high-risk migrants, 4–5
days before the planned HIV screening day. On the day of HIV screening, they will conduct the

mid-media event, IPC sessions and health games at the site to mobilize individuals for the HIV
screening.
 At the field level, bridge group (truckers): ORWs and PEs will conduct IPC sessions (1 group)
and mid-media event at the site to mobilize individuals for HIV screening. The ORWs and PEs
will also contact stakeholders such as brokers and transporters for referring the truckers for HIV
screening.
3. Human resources and roles

The HIV screening process will be managed by a project manager along with counsellor/ANM with
the assistance of ORWs and PEs/PLs.
Roles and responsibilities of the ANM/counsellor/ORW and PE at the TI will be the same as described
in Table 2.3. ORWs and PEs will also mobilize the community and assist in logistics during testing.
4. Logistics and transport:

The screening for HIV by targeted intervention will require the following consumables and other
materials:
 HIV testing kits: TIs will place an indent and collect their weekly supply from the nearest SA-
ICTC/DAPCU/SACS. The WBFP HIV test kit also contains a lancet and alcohol swab.
 Consumables: TIs will procure consumables such as hand gloves, colour-coded disposable
bags for bio-waste, puncture-proof containers for used sharps, bleaching powder/hypochlorite
solution.
 Fixed assets: TIs will have to procure the following items through the TI budget: one refrigerator,
two thermometers (dial thermometer), timer, two dustbins, icepacks and aprons for ANMs.
 Registers and forms (in paper and preferably electronic): The TI will maintain the counselling
register, stock register, laboratory reports, linkage slips and SIMS monthly report. Refer
Annexure C8 for SIMS monthly reporting format for TI.
 The TI will transport all the consumables and other materials to the screening site in advance
through local transport to ensure that everything is ready at least half an hour before the
scheduled starting time.
5. Biomedical waste management plan

The TI team will ensure that the protocols are being followed for maintaining universal safety
precautions during HIV screening.
6. Cold chain management

 Cold chain will be strictly maintained throughout the supply chain (2–8°C). The TI will collect
the test kits in icepack-lined carriers from the nearest SA-ICTC/DAPCU on a weekly basis; the
test kits will be stored in a refrigerator at the TI office; in case of load shedding for more than
four hours, the TI will shift the kits to the nearest SA-ICTC/DAPCU to maintain the cold chain.

 On the day of HIV screening, the test kits will be collected and transported to the site in a
carrier ensuring cold chain maintenance. Before use, the TTI in each kit will be checked for
any colour change. If any colour change is noted, the kit will be handed over to the nearest
SA-ICTC, which will follow the necessary laboratory protocol. A temperature log should be
maintained for the refrigerator and also at the testing site.
 Testing kits will be taken out from the cold chain-maintained carrier for use as per the number
of individuals waiting at the testing site. The timing will depend on the number of individuals to
be tested. Care should be taken to maintain the required temperature in the carrier to transport
the unused kits back to the TI.
7. Activities to be ensured for a successful screening for HIV by targeted intervention:

 The TI should identify HRGs that are due and overdue for HIV testing and these targeted groups
should be made aware of the day, date, timing and venue for HTS
 More than 90% of the targeted individuals should attend the event
 HIV screening should be conducted while ensuring audio-visual privacy and confidentiality
 The TI should adhere to the date, venue and timings communicated to the HRGs for HIV
screening
 Pre-test counselling and post-test counselling should be done as per Chapter 3 of these
guidelines
 The project manager should validate the number of targeted HRGs that availed the screening
services, the number of WBFP test kits consumed, and the number of individuals found reactive
against the documented data in the records/registers maintained by the counsellor/ANM
 An individual found reactive for HIV with the screening test should be referred to the SA-ICTC
for confirmation of HIV diagnosis and further necessary action
 Biomedical waste should be collected, disinfected and disposed of as per the NACO testing
guidelines, 2015
 Maintenance of the cold chain for test kits should be ensured and the stock register updated
on a regular basis
8. Monitoring, supervision and reporting

The project manager of a TI shall be completely responsible for this activity. The Programme Officer
(Technical Support Unit) will visit at least one screening site of the TIs monitored by them once in
a quarter. The linked SA-ICTC LT will visit at least one TI screening site per month, and observe
and document the screening procedure conducted by the ANM/counsellor in a predefined checklist
(Annexure E4)
Reporting will be done using the following data reporting tools:
 Data input registers/forms/reports
a) Counselling register – filled by the counsellor/ANM (Annexure A12)
b) Stock register–filled up by the counsellor/ANM (Annexure A5)
c) Laboratory report form– to be filled and signed by the doctor for both non-reactive as well as
reactive reports (Annexure C3)
d) Linkage form for individuals found to be reactive to the SA-ICTC for confirmation of HIV
diagnosis (Annexure B1)
e) Temperature log book format (Annexure A7)
f) Indent format for HCTS commodities (Annexure B2)
g) SIMS monthly report format (Annexure C8)
h) Follow up HIV Testing Card (Annexure D5)
For details, please refer to the following:

 Chapter 3 on counselling for pre-test counselling, informed consent, confidentiality, post-test
counselling
 Chapter 4 on HIV testing and Quality Management Systems for HIV screening
2.4.2.4 HCTS for prison inmates

HIV screening/confirmation should be included as an integral component of the health-care service package
being offered to the inmates of prisons in India. A plan for HCTS in prisons needs to be developed in States
to scale up HIV testing among prison inmates. SACS should facilitate appropriate training on HCTS to the
existing health staff in prisons.
The HCTS facility should ensure audio-visual privacy and confidentiality. The prison health system
should follow the same National HCTS guidelines as detailed earlier for an SA-ICTC/F-ICTC, including the
maintenance of records and reports. Proper linkages to care, support and treatment services should be
ensured for those who are found positive for HIV. The following steps may be taken to improve testing and
linkage to treatment of individuals in the prison setting:
A. Improving testing coverage:

a. Prison staff can be sensitized and trained on conducting HIV tests
b. SACS/DAPCU can arrange regular HIV testing camps in prisons by deputing a counsellor and
lab technician on specific days at a given prison
B. Linkage to treatment:
a. Prison doctor/medical staff can be trained on ART initiation and the prison hospital can be
made a Linked ART centre (LAC) for dispensing medications to the prisoners
b. SACS/DAPCU in association with relevant authorities can arrange for transportation of the
HIV positive inmate to the ART centre with appropriate security for initiation on treatment and
getting regular monitoring tests

Relevant information about the inmate’s discharge from the prison must be provided to the concerned ICTC
and ART centre so that the HIV positive individual can be followed up at regular intervals and linked to an
ART centre close to his/her place of residence.
2.2.4.5 HCTS at the workplace

HIV screening should be included as an integral component of the health-care service package being offered
to employees of both the organized and unorganized sectors in India. A plan for HCTS scaling up in workplace
settings should be developed by all SACS, in consultation with the concerned sectors. SACS should facilitate
appropriate training on HCTS to the health staff associated with providing health services to employees at
the respective workplaces.
HCTS facility should ensure audio-visual privacy and confidentiality. The workplace health system should
follow the same National HCTS guidelines as detailed above for an F-ICTC, including the maintenance of
records and reports. Proper linkages to the linked SA-ICTC should be ensured for all those who are reactive
for HIV on screening.
NACO also offers HIV-related services at workplaces through an employer-led model, the details of
which may be accessed at the NACO website www.naco.gov.in.
All HCTS facilities should ensure adherence to 5Cs - Consent, Confidentiality, Counselling, Correct test
results and Connection
For further details, please refer to

 “Updated National PPTCT Guidelines, December 2013”
 “National Strategic Plan on PPTCT, December 2013”
 “National Guidelines for HIV Testing, 2015”

3
Counselling for Hiv Testing

Counselling is a confidential dialogue between an individual and a counsellor. It aims to provide information
on HIV/AIDS and bring about behaviour change in the individual. It also enables the individual to take a
decision regarding HIV testing and to understand the implications of the test results.
Counselling includes the assessment of individual’s risk of acquisition and transmission of HIV, facilitation
of preventive behaviour, and coping mechanisms in case an individual is found to be HIV positive. More
importantly, counselling is intended to address the physical, social, psychological and spiritual needs of the
individual availing HCTS.
Counselling is an integral part of HIV screening at all levels, as well as confirmation under HCTS. It ensures
audio-visual privacy and confidentiality of information shared by the individual, including HIV test results.
All records and registers should be securely stored.
Box 3.1: Following should be ensured during counselling

a) Audio-visual privacy and confidentiality
b) Counsel each individual separately– do not take a history when another person is present unless
consent has been sought and given
c) The individual is comfortable and at ease
d) Do not allow your personal values or beliefs to influence the history-taking procedure
e) Employ communication skills in:
i. listening
ii. questioning
iii. non-verbal skills or body language
f) Use clear and simple language
g) Use models or drawings if needed
h) Use neutral language– no colloquial, offensive or technical terms
3.1 Pre-test counselling

Pre-test counselling is provided to the individual before HIV testing using posters, flip charts, brochures and
short video clips so as to prepare them for the HIV test and to address myths and misconceptions regarding
HIV/AIDS.
This can be done in two ways – (a) one-on-one counselling and (b) group counselling. One-on-one counselling
should be done for all individuals accessing HCTS services. Group counselling can be done when the
counsellor is addressing a group such as pregnant women at ANC clinics.

Box 3.2: Contents of pre-test counselling
Pre-test counselling points while screening the individual
a) Provide information on HIV and AIDS: what is HIV, what is AIDS, window period, route of
transmission, prevention message, care, support and treatment services
b) Explain the benefits of HIV testing
c) Assure the individual that the test result and any information shared will be kept confidential
d) Explain that the individual has the right to opt out of HIV testing and this will not affect their
access to any other health-related services
e) Obtain informed consent and document it in the relevant register
f) Risk assessment of the individual
g) Provide information on genital, menstrual and sexual hygiene
h) Demonstrate the use of a condom using a model
i) Provide information on spouse/sexual partner testing
j) Conduct symptomatic screening for STI/RTI: Genital discharge/genital ulceration/swelling or
growth in the genital area; itching in the pubic area; burning sensation while passing urine;
lower abdominal pain; menstrual irregularities; poor obstetric history
k) Conduct verbal screening (4 Symptom Screening) for tuberculosis (TB), use 10 point Counselling
Tool for TB. (Annex. E 5)
l) Extend the opportunity to the individual to ask and clarify doubts
The information may be delivered in a local language and tailored to the specific audience.
Ensure that:
a) The individual found reactive for HIV on screening is promptly linked to SA-ICTC for confirmation of
HIV diagnosis
b) For individuals found reactive for HIV on screening, the following pre-test counselling points are
emphasized at HCTS confirmatory facilities (SA-ICTC):
 Explain the test result of screening test and emphasize the need for confirmatory test to correctly
assess the HIV status
 Explain the process followed at the SA-ICTC for test confirmation
In addition to the details given in Box 3.2, explain to all pregnant/breastfeeding women regarding –
 Potential risk of transmitting HIV to the infant
 Benefits of early HIV diagnosis and treatment for mother and infant
 Infant-feeding practices

3.2 Informed consent
Informed consent remains one of the essential 5Cs and should always be obtained individually and in
private. Even if pre-test counselling is provided in a group setting, each individual should give informed
consent for testing with an opt-out option.
3.2.1 Consent for individuals below the age of 18 years

In case of individuals below 18 years of age, informed consent has to be obtained from their parents/
guardians/care-taking institutions or non-governmental organization (NGO). If there is no parent/guardian,
then the local legal authorities may grant permission for testing. In case there is a difference of opinion on
consent for testing between the parents/guardians and the individual below 18 years of age, the counsellor
may further counsel the individual/parent/guardian to prepare for testing. In case such individuals are
unwilling to involve parents/guardians in their HIV testing process, they should be counselled again.
3.2.2 Consent for non-ambulatory individuals

In some situations, within the public health-care facility, there may be a non-ambulatory in-patient who
requires HIV testing and is not in a position to visit the HIV testing site. The blood sample of such a patient
should be sent to the nearest HCTS facility and the health-care provider should sign the register in lieu of
the patient after obtaining verbal informed consent.
3.2.3 Consent for patients in coma

In case of individuals in a coma, informed consent has to be obtained from their family/parents/guardians/
care-taking institution, or non-governmental organization (NGO). If there is no parent/guardian, then the
local legal authorities may grant permission for testing. The relevant person/organization providing consent
will also be responsible for signing the counselling register.
In certain circumstances where HIV testing is warranted, the decision to test lies with the concerned medical
health-care provider.
3.3 Post-test counselling

All efforts must be made to provide same day test results and post-test counselling to all those accessing
HIV services at the HCTS facilities.
Post-test counselling helps the individual to understand and cope with the HIV test result. Individual post-
test counselling must be conducted irrespective of whether the result is HIV non-reactive (screening facility),
HIV-negative, HIV-Indeterminate or HIV-positive (confirmatory facility).

3.3.1 Post-test counselling for individuals who have been screened for HIV
3.3.1.1 Post-test counselling for individuals found non-reactive for HIV at screening
facility
Box 3.3: Contents for post-test counselling for individuals found non-reactive for HIV on screening
a) An explanation of the test result
b) Risk education counselling, condom demonstration and provision of condoms
c) Emphasis on the importance of knowing the status of sexual partner(s) and information about
the availability of partner and couples testing and counselling services
d) Information about the window period and retesting (Retesting is needed only for HIV-non-reactive
individuals who report recent or on-going risk of exposure)
e) An opportunity for additional counselling of the individual, clarification on myths and
misconceptions
f) Information on genital, menstrual and sexual hygiene
g) Linkages to tuberculosis (TB), sexually transmitted infection (STI), antenatal care (ANC), TI, etc.
3.3.1.2 Post-test counselling for individuals found reactive for HIV at screening
facility
Box 3.4: Contents for post-test counselling for individuals found reactive for HIV on screening
a) This is only a screening test for HIV
b) With this result, it is not possible to confirm the HIV status
c) Explain the need for confirmation of HIV diagnosis at an SA-ICTC
d) Explain the process followed at the SA-ICTC for test confirmation
e) Fill the linkage form and provide directions for reaching the nearest SA-ICTC
f) Provide risk education, counselling, condom demonstration and provision of condoms
g) Provide information on genital, menstrual and sexual hygiene
h) Emphasize the importance of knowing the status of the sexual partner(s), and provide information
about the availability of partner and couples testing and counselling services
i) Provide an opportunity to the individual for additional counselling, clarification of myths and
misconceptions
j) Provide linkages to facility providing TB, STI, ANC services etc. as applicable

3.3.2 Post-test counselling for individuals with confirmed results at SA-ICTC
3.3.2.1 Post-test counselling for individuals found positive for HIV

An HIV-positive diagnosis is a life-changing event. Post-test counselling should always be responsive and
tailored to the unique situation of each individual or couple.
Box 3.5: Contents for post-test counselling for individuals found positive for HIV at SA-ICTC
a) Explain the test results and diagnosis
b) Give sufficient time to the individual to consider the results and help them cope with emotions
arising from the diagnosis of HIV infection
c) Discuss immediate concerns and help the individual to identify who in their social network may
be able to provide immediate requisite support
d) Provide clear information on free ART (where it is offered, when ART will start, for how long it has
to be taken, how many times it has to be taken, who will provide ART, what tests are required
for starting ART, side-effects and benefits of ART, available social benefit schemes, importance
of adherence to ART, role of nutrition and exercise, need to abstain from smoking, drinking
and unprotected sex, how to overcome stigma and discrimination, a brief about opportunistic
infections, etc.) and reducing the risk of HIV transmission
e) Ensure linkage with an ART centre while addressing any specific barrier
f) Demonstrate condom use and provide condoms
g) Discuss possible disclosure of the result and the risks and benefits of disclosure, particularly
among couples and partners
h) Offer counselling to couples to support mutual disclosure
i) Encourage and offer HIV testing for untested sexual partner(s)/spouse and children (age upto14
years) of HIV-positive women
j) Assess the risk of violence by sexual partner/spouse and discuss existing support systems to help
such individuals, particularly women, who are diagnosed HIV-positive
k) Assess the risk of suicide, depression and other mental health consequences of a diagnosis of
HIV infection
l) Provide information on genital, menstrual and sexual hygiene
m) Provide additional referrals for prevention, counselling, support and other services as appropriate
(e.g. TB diagnosis and treatment, prophylaxis for opportunistic infections, STI screening and
treatment, contraception, ANC, opioid substitution therapy [OST], and access to sterile needles
and syringes, and brief counselling on sexual health)
n) Encourage and provide time for the individual to ask additional questions, clarify myths and
misconceptions

3.3.2.2 Post-test counselling for individuals with HIV indeterminate result
Box 3.6: Contents for post-test counselling of individuals with an HIV-indeterminate
test result, i.e. where the test results vary between the three tests
a) Explain the test results and diagnosis
b) All individuals with an indeterminate test result should be encouraged to undergo follow-up
testing in two weeks to confirm their HIV status. Emphasize the need for and ensure follow-up
testing
c) Discuss immediate concerns and help the individual
d) Demonstrate condom use and provide condoms
e) Encourage and offer HIV testing for untested sexual partners, and children of the individual
f) Assess the risk of suicide, depression and other mental health consequences of a diagnosis of
HIV infection
g) Provide additional referrals for prevention, counselling, support and other services as appropriate
(e.g. TB diagnosis and treatment, prophylaxis for opportunistic infections, STI screening and
treatment, contraception, ANC, OST and access to sterile needles and syringes, and brief
counselling on sexual and reproductive health)
h) Provide information on the window period, risk reduction and safe sexual behaviour
i) Encourage and provide time for the individual to ask additional questions; clarify myths and
misconceptions
3.3.2.3 Post Test Counselling for Individuals found Negative for HIV
Box 3.7: Contents for post-test counselling of an HIV-negative individual confirmed at SA-ICTC
a) An explanation of the test result
b) Risk education counselling, condom demonstration and provision of condoms
c) Emphasis on the importance of knowing the status of sexual partner(s), and information about
the availability of partner and couples testing and counselling services
d) Information about the window period and retesting. (Retesting is needed only for HIV-non-
reactive individuals who report recent or on-going risk of exposure.) Details of follow up testing
must be shared.
e) An opportunity for additional counselling of the individual, clarification on myths and
misconceptions
f) Information on genital, menstrual and sexual hygiene
g) Linkages to tuberculosis (TB), sexually transmitted infection (STI), antenatal care (ANC),TI, etc.

3.4 Follow-up counselling and HIV testing
Follow-up counselling is a form of repeat counselling where certain key actions are reinforced with the
objective of getting an individual to understand and practice them. Follow-up counselling sessions may be
conducted as and when required.
1. Follow up counselling and HIV testing is recommended for the below mentioned individuals as per
the timelines provided. The counsellors are recommended to use the Follow-up HIV Testing Card
(Annexure D5) to provide the follow up testing dates to the individuals. For Discordant couples,
follow- up testing details are provided on the back side of the discordant card. In addition to this,
follow up HIV testing card can be issued to an individual for his/her record.
Follow up testing
timeline from
Individuals who require follow-up counselling and HIV testing
the baseline HIV
testing
 Donors found HIV reactive in the Blood Bank and found non-reactive at SA-ICTC
After 2 weeks  Individuals found HIV reactive by screening test and found non-reactive at SA-ICTC
 Any individual with indeterminate HIV test result at SA-ICTC
 Individual on post exposure prophylaxis
 Individual faced with sexual assault
After 3 months
 Individuals with high risk behaviour (to exclude the possibility of window period)
 HIV negative partner of a known HIV positive individual
 HIV negative partner of a known HIV positive individual
 Priority population groups:
o Child less than 18 months of age born to HIV positive mother (as per EID algo-
rithm)
Every 6 months o Individuals with continued high risk behaviour
o FSW
o MSM
o TG
o IDU
2. Individuals who need follow-up counselling are as follows:

 Individuals who have not accepted their HIV-positive report
 Individuals with linkage loss
 Individuals in need of services from support structures such as legal, socio-economic welfare,
etc.
The contents of follow-up counselling are the same as detailed in this chapter and should be followed as
applicable.

3.5 Additional counselling
Additional content for counselling specific priority populations is given in Table 3.8.
S.
Priority population Description Additional counselling content
No.
 Need to test the mother for HIV
Symptomatic  Infant feeding
children referred
by medical officer  Nutrition
 Immunization
Infants and  Nutrition
1. children (outside Orphans and
the PPTCT cohort)  Immunization
vulnerable children
 Follow-up testing (if applicable)
 Screen for other STIs
Sexually abused
 Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
children
 Follow-up testing(if applicable)
 PLHIV adolescents should be counselled on positive
prevention, nutrition, adherence to ART, coping peer
pressure and adapting safer behaviours
 Adolescents should be counselled on the need of pre-marital
10–19 years’ age HIV testing and safe sex practices
2 Adolescents
group
 Customized tailored risk reduction counselling – boys, girls
and trans-sexual/trans-gender (TS/TG)
 Linkages with the Rashtriya Kishore Swasthya Karyakram
(RKSK)
 Promote mutual disclosure of HIV status and adoption of
prevention measures
 When a couple receives their results together, there can be
mutual disclosure of HIV status, and the couple can receive
appropriate support
One from a couple
Sero-discordant is HIV-positive  During the pre-test counselling session for a couple, the
3
couple while the other is counsellor should not explore sexual and or any other risk
HIV-non-reactive behaviour. These aspects are to be explored individually/
separately
 Both, testing and post-test counselling can be provided
individually, if either partner prefers
 Promote safer sexual behaviour
 Consistent condom use
Sero-concordant Both partners are
4  Nutrition
couple HIV-positive
 ART adherence (if applicable)
 Customized risk-reduction counselling
5 Prison inmates  Symptomatic screening for TB and STI
 Follow-up HIV counselling and testing (if applicable)

S.
Priority population Description Additional counselling content
No.
 Counselled on the need for baseline HIV, pregnancy testing,
and for other STIs
Victims of sexual  Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV and STI, and
6
assault counselling for its adherence
 Follow-up HIV counselling and testing after 3 months and 6
months (as applicable)
 Explain the need to initiate ART and the importance of
adherence
 Explain the need for regular ANC check-up and institutional
delivery
All pregnant  Explain the need for antiretroviral (ARV) and co-trimoxazole
7 Pregnant women
women prophylaxis for the child
 Explain the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for 6
months
 Counsel on adequate maternal nutrition, including iron and
folic acid supplementation
Female Sex  On stigma and discrimination related issues

workers (FSWs)
 An individual may have more than one type of risk behaviour
High-risk group Men who have sex and counselling should explore and address them
8 (HRG)/bridge with men (MSM)
 Need for follow-up counselling (if applicable)
population Injecting drug
users (IDUs)  Social protection schemes and services from support
structures as applicable, e.g crisis response team, legal
TG
support, etc., when needed
Migrants/Truckers
3.6 Sharing of HIV test results

It is important to maintain utmost confidentiality of personal information shared by individuals accessing
HCTS, including his/her HIV test results.
However, in the following circumstances the HIV test results of an individual may be shared:
3.6.1 Sharing of spouse/sexual partner HIV test and partner notification

In order to protect the health of a partner, the counsellor may share a person’s HIV test result with the
person’s partner, or partners. This may occur with or without the expressed consent of the index partner.
An HIV-positive person should be encouraged through counselling and tools such as role-play to share the
positive test result with their spouse, sexual or needle-sharing partner(s), and bring the spouse or partner
for counselling to an integrated counselling and testing centre (ICTC). This process of helping the individual
to share the test result might take more than one visit. If after repeated visits the counsellor feels that the
individual is not ready to share their status and the regular sexual partner of the individual is deemed to
be at risk, the partner can be notified of the person’s positive status. This communication with the partner
should be, without exception, in a face-to-face setting. Wherever possible, the counsellor could contact
positive network groups to facilitate the disclosure. The notified partner(s) should be counselled and tested
for HIV and other STIs.
3.6.2 Shared confidentiality and medical disclosure
Wherever warranted, in the medical interest of an individual, their HIV status may be shared with other
health-care provider(s) involved in the treatment and care of that individual. The purpose of sharing
information is to ensure that the individual receives better treatment and care. Confidentiality should be
maintained during the process.
In a health-care setting, the staff directly involved in caring for the HIV-positive patient may be informed
about the patient’s HIV status by the counsellor after seeking the person’s consent. This is to protect the
right of the individual to confidentiality as well as the right of health-care staff to a safe work environment.
The disclosed information must be kept confidential by the attending health-care staff.
3.6.3 Disclosure
The person with HIV has the right to privacy and also the right to exercise informed consent in all decisions
about disclosure in respect of his/her status. However, in certain circumstances when disclosure of an indi-
vidual’s HIV status to another person is required by law or ethical considerations, the HIV test results may
be shared.
3.7 Standard operating procedures

3.7.1 Standard operating procedure for a counsellor at HCTS screening facility
Document information of the individual with unique 23-digit ICTC person identification digit
1 (PID) in the counselling register (Annexure A1) / (Annexure A12)
Provide pre-test counselling to the individual and document the details in the counselling register
2
Contents for pre-test counselling are listed in Box 3.2
Take informed consent of individual for HIV testing with signature/ thumb impression in the
3 counselling register
If individual opts for HIV testing, provide information related to testing procedure
4 If individual opts out, provide further counselling to the individual on the benefits of knowing
their HIV status
Conduct HIV screening testing as per applicable procedures listed in Chapter 4
5
If the result is invalid, repeat the test
6 Document the results of HIV screening test in the counselling register
For individuals screened reactive, provide post-test counselling Box 3.4 and link them to SA-ICTC
7A using duly filled Linkage Form (Annexure B1)
For individuals screened non-reactive, provide post-test counselling Box 3.3 and share the
7B laboratory report signed by medical officer/officer-in-charge (Annexure C3) and emphasize the
need of follow up testing, if required. Use Follow up HIV testing Card (Annexure D5) if required.
8 Conduct verbal screening of all individuals accessing HCTS for TB, STI and other co-infections
If required, link the individuals to ANC, STI, RNTCP programs, etc as applicable using Linkage
9 Form (Annexure B1)

Records (Registers /Forms/ Reports) to be maintained
The following records and reports must be maintained at HCTS screening facilities:
1. Counselling register (Annexure A1) / (Annexure A12)
2. Linkage form in triplicate (Annexure B1)
3. Laboratory report for screened non-reactive (Annexure C3)
4. Stock register (Annexure A5)
5. Follow up HIV Testing Card (Annexure D5)
6. Temperature Log Book (Annexure A7)
7. Indent for HCTS Commodities (Annexure B2)
8. SIMS reporting format (Annexure C2) / (Annexure C8)
9. Dashboard Indicators at HCTS Screening Facilities (Annexure C6)
3.7.2 Standard operating procedure for a counsellor at HCTS confirmatory facility

(SA-ICTC)
Document information of individual with unique 23-digit Patient Identification Digit (PID) in the
counselling register (Annexure A2) for general individual and (Annexure A3) for pregnant women)
If an individual has accessed screening HCTS facilities, then use the same PID number as
generated on the first visit at screening facility. Similarly if an individual has accessed confirmatory
HCTS facilities, then use the same PID number as generated on the first visit at confirmatory
1 facility.
If an individual screened reactive at screening site and referred to confirmatory facility a new PID
number should be generated at confirmatory facility.
All efforts should be made to ensure that only one unique PID is issued to an individual at every
follow up test at either screening or confirmatory HCTS facility.
Provide pre-test counselling to the individual and document the details in the counselling register
2
Refer to Box 3.2 for contents of pre-test counselling
Take informed consent of individual for HIV testing with signature/ thumb impression in the
3 counselling register
If individual opts for HIV testing, provide information related to testing procedure
4
If individual opts out, provide further counselling to emphasize the need for follow-up testing
Link the individual to SA-ICTC laboratory technician for HIV testing by using referral slip to Lab
5 Technician (Annexure E7)
6 Receive signed laboratory reports from the Lab Technician
For individuals found HIV positive, provide lab report, conduct post-test counselling and link the
7A individual to ART centre using Linkage form (Annexure B1)
For individuals found HIV negative, provide lab report, conduct post-test counselling and
7B emphasize the need for follow up testing (as applicable)
For individuals with indeterminate test result, provide post-test counselling and emphasize the
7C need for follow up testing (as applicable, using the Follow up HIV Testing Card in Annexure D5)
Screen all patients accessing HCTS for TB and other co-infections and link to applicable facility
8 using Linkage form (Annexure B1)

Records (Registers /Forms/ Reports) to be maintained
The following records and reports must be maintained at HCTS confirmatory facility (SA-ICTC):
Registers:
1. Counselling register for general individuals (Annexure A2)
2. Counselling register for pregnant women (Annexure A3)
3. HIV–TB line list (Annexure A8)
4. HIV–TB register (Annexure A9)
5. ICTC HIV exposed Infant/Child Register (Annexure A10)
6. HIV Positive Pregnant Women Delivery Register (Annexure A11)
7. Outreach Activity Registers (Annexure A13)
Forms:
8. Linkage form in Triplicate (Annexure B1)
9. RNTCP form for referral for Diagnosis (Annexure B3)
Reports:
10. SIMS monthly report (Annexure C1)
11. Laboratory reports (Annexure C4)
12. Dashboard Indicators (Annexure C7)
13. SIMS quarterly report (Annexure C9)
Cards:
14. PLHIV card for General Individuals (Annexure D1)
15. PPTCT Beneficiary card (Annexure D2)
16. EIC card (Annexure D3)
17. Discordant partner card (Annexure D4)
Please note that for Discordant couple, follow-up testing details are captured on the back side of the discordant
partner card. In addition, Follow-up HIV Testing Card can also be issued to the individual for his/her record.
All HCTS facilities should ensure adherence to 5Cs - Consent, Confidentiality, Counselling, Cor-
rect test results and Connection

4
Hiv Testing and Quality Management Systems

For Hcts Facility

HIV infection in any individual beyond 18 months of age can be detected by laboratory test/s that
demonstrate(s) either the virus or viral products, or antibodies to the virus in blood/serum/plasma. In children
below 18 months of age, due to persistence of maternal antibodies, diagnosis of HIV is made by PCR tests
that detect HIV nucleic acid. It is recommended that HIV testing should be done using highly sensitive and
specific rapid tests in HCTS, which provide reliable and accurate results within half an hour, as per the
prescribed quality standards.
Under the NACP, the most commonly employed rapid tests are based on the principle of enzyme immunoassay,
immuno-chromatography (lateral flow), immuno-concentration/dot-blot assays (vertical flow) and particle
agglutination. All these different rapid tests should have a sensitivity of ≥99.5% and specificity of ≥98%.
window period represents the period of time between infection with HIV and the time when HIV antibodies
can be detected in the blood (6-12 weeks). A blood test performed during the window period may yield a
negative test result for HIV antibodies. These cases may require further testing after 12 weeks.
4.1 HIV testing strategies for Adults and Children (above the age of 18
months)
National HIV testing strategies enable the programme to screen for HIV or confirm the diagnosis of HIV
among priority populations at the nearest facility. In view of the low prevalence of HIV in India, it is necessary
to use three different principles or antigen-based rapid tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Every individual with an HIV-non-reactive result should be educated about the possibility of a window period,
and that a non-reactive result does not always rule out the possibility of HIV infection, if the individual has
been recently infected.
The following strategies are to be used for HIV testing in adults and children above the age of 18 months:
4.1.1 Strategy I
Single test (enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay [ELISA] or rapid) is mandatory for screening of donated
blood in blood banks. If found reactive for HIV, the donated blood should not be used for transfusion or
transplantation, and after informed consent, the donor should be promptly referred to the linked SA-ICTC for
confirmation of the HIV diagnosis and further necessary action.

Figure 4.1 Algorithm I (For Blood Banks & HCTS Screening Facilities)
Source: National Guidelines for HIV Testing, 2015
4.1.2 Strategy II (A)

Two rapid tests are mainly used in case of HIV sentinel surveillance where two testing kits are being used.
Figure 4.2: Algorithm II(A) (For surveillance)

4.1.3 Strategy II (B)
A patient who is clinically symptomatic and suspected to have an AIDS indicator condition/disease is
referred to the SA-ICTC for confirmation of the diagnosis. In this case, the same blood sample is tested twice
using kits with either different antigens or principles. The patient is declared HIV-negative if the first test is
non-reactive and as HIV-positive when both tests show reactive results. When there is discordance between
the first two tests (first reactive and the second non-reactive), a third test is done. When the third test is also
negative it is reported as negative. When the third test is reactive, it is reported as indeterminate and the
individual is retested after 14–28 days.
Figure 4.3: Algorithm II (B)(For diagnosis of clinically symptomatic individual)
4.1.4 Strategy III
4.1.4.1 Screening
Screening for HIV at an F-ICTC, PPP–ICTC, mobile F-ICTC, community-based screening etc. - using a single
rapid test kit.

 If the test is found non-reactive, the individual is considered HIV-negative and needs to be followed,
as per the guidelines.
 If the test result is found reactive, the individual should be promptly linked to the SA-ICTC for
confirmation of the diagnosis and further necessary action.
4.1.4.2 Confirmation
Confirmation of HIV diagnosis in asymptomatic individuals is done at an SA-ICTC using three rapid tests
of three different antigens or principles. The individual is considered HIV-negative if the first test is non-
reactive and as HIV-positive when all three tests show reactive results, as shown in Figure 4.4.
Figure 4.4: Algorithm III (For diagnosis of clinically asymptomatic patient)
Assays Al, A2, A3 represent three different assays based on different principles or different antigenic
compositions. Assay Al should be of high sensitivity and A2 and A3 should be of high specificity. A2 and A3
should also be able to differentiate between HIV 1 and 2 infections. Use strategies 2B or 3 for diagnostic
purposes.
Indeterminate: Testing should be repeated on a second sample taken after 14–28 days. In case the
serological results continue to be indeterminate, then the sample should be referred to the linked State
Reference Laboratory for further testing.

4.2 Early diagnosis of HIV in children below the age of 18 months
A child may acquire HIV from the HIV infected mother-in-utero(during pregnancy), peripartum (during
delivery), postpartum (through breastfeeding) or via parenteral exposure through infected needles and
syringes. Early diagnosis is done to determine the HIV status among children below 18 months of age. In
children who acquire HIV in-utero and peripartum, disease progression occurs rapidly in the first few months
of life, often leading to death. Studies suggest that in the absence of diagnostics, care and treatment, about
35% of HIV-infected children die in the first year of life, 50% by their second birthday, and 60% by their
third birthday.
Most children born to HIV-positive mothers will test positive using rapid HIV antibody tests. Maternal
antibodies are present in a child’s blood for up to 18 months after birth, making it difficult to differentiate
maternal from child’s antibody by rapid antibody tests. However, HIV antibody tests are useful for identifying
potentially uninfected children as early as 6–18 months of age (if they are not breastfed, or if they ceased
breastfeeding 6 weeks before testing). Thus, in children below 18 months of age, it is strongly recommended
that HIV-1 virological assay be used for testing at 6 weeks of age or at the earliest opportunity thereafter.
Figure 4.5: National Testing Algorithm for HIV-1 exposed infants and children below the age of 18 months

Box 4.6: Presumptive HIV diagnosis for children below the age of 18 months
Any HIV-exposed child who presents with any two of the following symptoms is presumed to be infected
with HIV:
• Oral thrush
• Severe pneumonia
• Sepsis
In such cases, while following the laboratory EID algorithm, the clinician may initiate ART immediately
4.3 Single-prick/single-window blood sample collection for testing

An individual may attend a health-care facility for multiple purposes; HIV testing may be one of them and
they may require multiple blood tests at the same visit. The person in-charge of the health-care facility
should ensure that the blood sample of such an individual is collected in one department of the facility and
transported to the relevant testing facilities along with properly filled requisition slips. HIV testing should
be undertaken only after pre-test counselling and informed consent, duly documented in the counselling
register.
4.4 Non-ambulatory in-patients

In some situations, within the public health-care facility, there may be a non-ambulatory in-patient who
requires HIV testing and is not in a position to visit the HIV testing site. The blood sample of such a patient
should be sent to the nearest HCTS facility with properly filled requisition slips. The responsibility for the
appropriate pre-test counselling and obtaining informed consent will be that of the referring health-care
provider. Post-test counselling will be provided by the concerned HCTS functionary in the ward where the
patient is admitted.
4.5 Diagnosis of HIV-2

NACO has designated specific laboratories to confirm the diagnosis of HIV-2 as it is important to select
appropriate antiretroviral treatment (ART). The SA-ICTC that has diagnosed HIV-1 and/or HIV-2 should refer
the PLHIV to the nearest ART centre. The nodal officer at the ART centre will confirm whether an accurate
diagnosis of HIV-1, HIV-2 or dual infection has been made through the linked designated HIV-2 reference
laboratory. This enables the ART centre to select the appropriate ART regimen. It is to be noted that where
the patient is too sick, the ART centre may send the blood sample to the HIV-2 reference laboratory rather
than sending the sick patient.
The HIV-2 reference laboratory should promptly share the final report with the concerned SA-ICTC and
ART centre, SACS, NACO (Basic Services Division, Care Support and Treatment) and Laboratory Services
Divisions).

4.6 Quality assurance of HIV testing
Quality is an absolute requirement of any testing laboratory. A false-positive or false-negative result from an
HIV testing laboratory is associated with social, ethical, medical and legal implications, making it extremely
important for the HCTS to adopt SOPs to ensure requisite standards of quality in HIV testing and reporting.
Training on SOPs, quality control measures (periodic mentoring of HCTS functionaries to ensure adherence
to SOPs) and external quality assurance are the various mechanisms used under the NACP to ensure the
quality of HIV testing and reporting.
Quality management system (QMS)

QMS is a management system of coordinated activities to direct and control an organization with regard to
quality (ISO 9000). Systemic and process-oriented efforts are essential to meet quality objectives.
A hierarchical network of laboratories has been set up for continued supervision and quality assurance.
The following are important for ensuring reliable and accurate results:
· “Laboratory Consortium for Kit Quality”–any HIV test kit used at the HCTS facility for screening
and testing under the NACP is validated by the NACO-established laboratory consortium for kit
quality. The National AIDS Research Institute (NARI), Pune acts as the secretariat to the laboratory
consortium.
· National external quality assurance system
Figure 4.7: Hierarchy of supervision and quality assurance of HIV testing
A successful result in an external quality assurance scheme (EQAS) and retesting can be ensured if the
following pillars of quality are addressed:

1. Personnel – qualified, trained and competent staff for performing HIV testing and correctly interpreting
results
2. Kits and reagents– use of expired kits must always be avoided. Kits should be stored in a clean,
secure place and the cold chain (where indicated) should be maintained.
3. Sample – an adequate sample that is not haemolysed is essential for a correct result.
4. Equipment–regular calibration, monitoring and maintenance of equipment should be ensured.
5. Documentation – proper documentation of samples received and test results. Adherence to SOPs
must be ensured.
Each SA-ICTC is linked to an SRL, which is responsible for mentoring and monitoring quality at the SA-ICTC.
An SA-ICTC must participate in retesting as well as panel testing/EQAS programme through their SRL.
For retesting, each SA-ICTC should send 20% of all positive samples and 5% of all negative samples
received during the first week of the first month in every quarter (January, April, July, October) to the SRL
for cross-checking, as per the national EQAS guidelines.
Additionally, once in 6 months, as part of a periodic assessment of quality of testing at the SA-ICTC, a panel
of four blinded samples is sent by the linked SRL to the SA-ICTC for testing. The SA-ICTC reports back the
panel testing report to the linked SRL. In turn, the SRL provides feedback to the SA-ICTC and plans for
retraining of the LT, based on the performance.
4.6.1 Quality control at the SA-ICTC, F-ICTC and other HCTS facilities
All HIV tests need to be performed with strict adherence to protocol, taking into account the national
guidelines on Quality Management Systems in HIV testing Laboratories. The quality control procedure for
rapid HIV test kits should be adhered as detailed in the above said guidelines. The medical officer in-charge
of the SA-ICTC should cross-check every positive result before signing the laboratory report.
4.6.2 Role of SA-ICTC in facilitating HIV screening

Sensitization/orientation, regular supervision and re-training if needed, will be the key mechanisms to ensure
the requisite standards of HIV screening. Since SA-ICTC is responsible for the confirmation of the HIV
diagnosis for all those individuals found to be HIV reactive at linked screening facilities, it should regularly
monitor and supervise the HIV screening activity and handhold the staff at all the linked HIV screening
facilities.
4.6.3 Storage of sera for quality assurance

The functionaries at the SA-ICTC should strictly follow the SOPs for both storage and transportation of sera
as detailed in the National HIV testing guidelines, 2015, NACO.
The sera can be stored at 2–8°C in the refrigerator for only up to a week. For longer storage, specimens need
to be kept frozen at–20°C. Repeated freeze–thawing cycles should be avoided.

4.6.4 Specimen transport for quality assurance
The specimen tube in which serum is to be transported should not have cracks/leaks. Preferably, it should
be made of plastic and be screw-capped. The outside of the container should be checked for any visible
contamination with blood, which should be disinfected.
Place the tube containing the specimen in a leak-proof container (e.g. a sealed plastic bag with a zip-lock
or, alternatively, the bag may be stapled and taped). Pack this container inside a cardboard canister/box
containing sufficient material (cotton gauze) to absorb the blood in case the tube breaks or leaks.
Cap the canister/box tightly. Fasten the request slip securely to the outside of this canister. This request
slip should have all of the patient’s details (i.e. PID, age, sex, risk factors, history of previous testing,
etc.) and should accompany the specimen. The request slip should be placed in a plastic zip-lock bag to
prevent smudging on account of spillage. For mailing, this canister/box should be placed inside another box
containing the mailing label and a biohazard sign.
The specimen should be carefully packaged to protect it from breakage and insulated from extreme
temperatures.
Label appropriately and mention the test/s being requested for that sample. The collection site should
make use of a unique identification number as sample identity. Names of the patients should be avoided to
prevent confusion arising from duplication of names as well as to maintain confidentiality.
Secure the vacutainer cap carefully and seal it further with sticking tape placed so that it covers the lower
part of the cap and some part of the tube stem.
During packaging, the tubes containing specimens should be placed in a tube rack and packed inside a cool
box (plastic or thermacol) with cool/refrigerated/frozen gel packs (use whichever pack necessary to maintain
the sample at the appropriate recommended temperature for the test) placed below and on the sides of the
tube rack. Place some cotton or other packaging material between the tubes to ensure that they do not move
or rattle while in transit. The cool box required for transportation could be a plastic breadbox or a vaccine
carrier. Seal/secure the lid of the cool box.
This cool box should then be placed in a secure transport bag for the purpose of shipping it to the testing
facility. The request slips should be placed in a plastic zip-lock bag and fastened securely to the outside of
the cool box with a rubber band and sticking tape.
A biohazard label should be pasted on the visible outer surface of the package containing the samples. The
package must be marked with arrows indicating the “up” and “down” side of the package.
Samples should be transported to the receiving laboratory by courier or be hand-delivered by a trained

delivery person.
The collection site must have prior knowledge of the designated testing days of the laboratory to which the
samples are being sent.

Unless prior arrangements have been made with the receiving laboratory, no transportation of samples
should be done during weekends, holidays, or non-testing days for the testing laboratory.
4.7 Standard operating procedures for Lab Technicians

4.7.1 Standard operating procedures for Lab Technicians at HCTS Screening Facility
Standard operating procedure for lab technician at screening facility is same as for counsellor detailed in
Chapter 3, Section 3.7.1 “Standard Operating procedure for Counsellors at HCTS Screening Facility”
Records to be maintained
The following documents have to be maintained at screening centers:
1. Counselling register (Annexure A1) / (Annexure A12)

3. Laboratory report for screened non-reactive (Annexure C3)
4. Stock register (Annexure A5)
7. Indent for HCTS Commodities (Annexure B2)
8. SIMS reporting formats for HCTS Screening Facilities (Annexure C2) / (Annexure C8)
9. Dashboard Indicators at HCTS Screening Facilities (Annexure C6)
4.7.2 Standard operating procedures for Lab Technicians at HCTS Confirmatory

Facility (SA-ICTC)
1 Document details of the individual in lab register (Annexure A4) mentioning unique PID number
Collect the sample and conduct HIV testing as per the standard operating procedures (refer to
2 National HIV Testing Guidelines 2015)
3 Prepare lab report (Annexure C4)
4 Get the lab report signed by medical officer/officer-in-charge
5 Handover the duly signed lab reports to the counsellor on the same day
6 Document the test results in the lab register
7 Maintain all details of daily testing in the daily worksheet (Annexure C5)

Records to be maintained
The following documents have to be maintained at laboratory of HCTS confirmatory facilities (SA-ICTC):
1. Laboratory register (Annexure A4)

3. Stock register at SA-ICTC (Annexure A6)
4. Indent form (Annexure B2)
5. Laboratory report (Annexure C4)
6. Daily worksheet for laboratory technician (Annexure C5)
 For further details on HIV testing, please refer to

“National Guidelines for HIV Testing, 2015”
 For further details on Quality Management, please refer to
“National Guidelines for Quality Management Systems in HIV testing laboratories”
 For further details on HIV testing in infants and children below the age of 18 months, please
refer to
“National EID Guidelines, 2016”
All HCTS facilities should ensure adherence to 5Cs - Consent, Confidentiality, Counselling, Correct
test results and Connection

5
HIV-Tb Collaborative Activities

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death among PLHIV. Early diagnosis of HIV is critical for reducing
the mortality due to the disease. Globally, it has been estimated that less than half of all TB patients with
HIV receive an HIV test; hence, HIV testing in TB settings needs to be scaled up. Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare, Government of India, through the NACP and RNTCP is implementing well-planned HIV/
TB collaborative activities across the country. The current National Framework for HIV/TB Collaborative
Activities, November 2013 aims to significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality due to HIV/TB co-
infection through prevention, early detection and prompt management of both HIV and TB.
5.1 NACP-RNTCP Coordination Mechanisms and Activities at Various

Levels:
It is important to ensure robust and coordinated efforts between these two national programmes at all levels
to achieve sustained and successful outcomes. Coordination has been ensured by forming national and state
TB/HIV coordination committees; national and state technical working groups; and district coordination
committees (DCCs). The in-charge of SA-ICTC should regularly participate in monthly HIV/TB coordination
meetings at the district level, which will help to bridge identified implementation gaps and support continuous
improvement towards uniform efficient implementation of HIV/TB collaborative activities.
A ‘four-pronged strategy’ has been envisaged to ensure strong collaboration and coordination between the
NACP and RNTCP. It entails prevention, early detection of HIV/TB, prompt treatment and management of
TB/HIV cases.
5.1.1 Prevention of TB-HIV

The three I’s for prevention of TB/HIV include the following:
1. Intensified case finding (ICF)

2. Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT)
3. Infection control for tuberculosis (IC)
5.1.1.1 Intensified Case Finding (ICF):

Systematic TB screening should be integrated and offered at all HIV testing facilities and to all populations
receiving HIV testing, irrespective of their test results. Intensified TB case finding in clinical and outreach
settings will facilitate early detection of HIV-associated TB and linkage to treatment.
Presumptive TB cases are those who have cough of two weeks, or more, with or without other symptoms
suggestive of TB in adults and adolescents and/or fever and/or cough of recent onset lasting for >2 weeks,
recent unexplained loss of weight and history of exposure to an infectious TB patient (smear positive) in
children. In people living with HIV, cough of any duration is suggestive of TB.
All people living with HIV should be regularly screened for TB using clinical symptom based algorithm
consisting of current cough, fever, weight loss or night sweats at the time of initial presentation for HIV
care and at every visit to a health facility or contact with a healthcare worker afterwards. Similarly, children

living with HIV who have any of the following symptoms- poor weight gain, fever or current cough or contact
history with TB case-may have TB and should be evaluated for TB and other conditions.
Screening of TB through a WHO recommended ‘Four symptom screening’ is highly sensitive to identify a
presumptive TB cases amongst PLHIV. If a patient does not have any of these four symptoms; TB can be
confidently ruled-out in 98 out of 100 cases.
Thus all individuals accessing HCTS as well as ART, Link ART, Link ART Plus, Care support centres and
Targeted interventions should be screened for TB.
Individuals who have symptoms or signs suggestive of TB, irrespective of their HIV status, should be referred
to RNTCP diagnostic and treatment facility. For this purpose, NACP and RNTCP promote the establishment
co-located facilities.
5.1.1.2 Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) for PLHIV at ART centre /Link ART-Plus and Link
ART Centres
IPT is one of the 3Is that are globally recommended for prevention of incident TB among PLHIVs. Isoniazid
is the most effective Bactericidal Anti TB drug available currently. While it protects against progression of
latent TB infection to active disease i.e. reactivation, it also prevents TB re-infection post the exposure to an
open case of TB. This is provided at ART centre/Link ART-plus and LACs.
5.1.1.3 Infection Control for TB:

When patients remain undiagnosed and untreated for tuberculosis, there is risk of transmission of tuberculosis
infection at health care facilities. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of TB will rapidly make TB patients
non-infectious and ultimately will break the chain of transmission.
Ensuring appropriate Administrative, Environmental and Personal Protective Measures as recommended in

the Airborne Infection Control Guidelines is of utmost importance in reducing the risk of transmission of TB
at HIV TB care settings.
5.1.2 Early detection

Early detection of TB and HIV is crucial. The programme identifies the following important strategies to
ensure diagnosis of HIV and TB at all service delivery facilities:
1. Provider Initiated Testing and counselling (PITC) for all TB and presumptive TB cases for HIV
2. Rapid diagnostics for detection of TB and DR-TB in PLHIV
5.1.2.1 Provider Initiated HIV Testing and Counselling (PITC) in TB and/or Presumptive TB cases:
PITC includes providing pre-test counselling and obtaining informed consent, with the option to opt out from
testing. At all HIV testing facilities, routine HIV screening should be offered to all adult, adolescents and
paediatric patients with presumptive and diagnosed TB. Partners of known HIV-positive TB patients should
also be offered HCTS with mutual disclosure.

Linkage of presumptive TB cases from HCTS facilities to TB diagnostic facilities should be recorded on a
line-list to facilitate exchange of information with the RNTCP, and track the individuals through the process
of TB diagnosis and initiation of directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS). To streamline this process
further, RNTCP functionaries should stay in touch with HCTS functionaries to complete the exchange of
information in time and should enter information in the TB/HIV register. In addition, the staff of the above-
mentioned NACP facilities and RNTCP should participate in monthly HIV/TB coordination meetings at the
district level to validate line-lists and monthly HIV/TB reports, and to promptly resolve operational issues,
if any.
5.1.2.2 Early Diagnosis for detection of TB and DR-TB in PLHIV:

Early diagnosis of microbiologically confirmed TB is one of the leading priorities under the programme. The
acceptable methods for microbiological diagnosis of TB in the RNTCP include sputum smear microscopy
(both conventional and fluorescent), molecular technologies, line probe assay (LPA) or cartridge-based
nucleic acid amplification test (CB-NAAT) and culture (on solid or liquid media).
CB-NAAT is a rapid molecular diagnostic technology, which provides results within 2 hours, thus enabling
same-day diagnosis and prompt treatment initiation. The use of CB-NAAT has been recommended as the
preferential test for early diagnosis of TB and rifampicin resistance among PLHIV.
5.2 Mechanism at ICTCs for identifying and testing individuals with HIV-TB
5.2.1 Process flow at HCTS Screening Facilities for HIV-TB testing
The process for identifying and testing people with HIV-TB co-infection at screening centres is reflected in
the figure below:
Figure 5.1: Process flow at HCTS Screening Facilities
*Please ensure to get supplies of ‘RNTCP referral for diagnosis form’ from RNTCP
Detailed process flow

1. Document information of the individual as per standard procedure mentioned in Chapter 3
2. Conduct verbal screening for TB symptoms for all individuals accessing HCTS facilities

3. Refer individuals who have symptoms or signs suggestive of TB to RNTCP centre using Linkage form
(Annexure B1).
4. Additionally, provide the individual duly filled RNTCP referral for diagnosis form (Annexure B3). This
form will ensure that the individual referred can avail services at RNTCP centres swiftly.
Documents to be maintained at HCTS Screening Facilities for HIV-TB Activities:

2. RNTCP referral for diagnosis form (Annexure B3)
5.2.2 Process flow at HCTS Confirmatory Facilities (SA-ICTC) for HIV-TB testing
The process for identifying and testing people with HIV-TB co-infection at HCTS Confirmatory Facilities (SA-
ICTC) is reflected in the figure below:
Figure 5.2: Process flow at HCTS Confirmatory Facilities (SA-ICTC)

Process flow for all incoming individuals from RNTCP to HCTS Confirmatory Facilities (SA-ICTC)
1. Document the individual details as per standard procedure mentioned in Chapter 3

2. Screen the individual for TB by using ‘Four Symptom Screening’ method
3. For an individual showing symptoms of TB, refer them to nearest RNTCP centre by providing linkage
form in triplicate (Annexure B1)
4. Document details of the individual in HIV-TB line list (Annexure A8)
5. Review HIV-TB line list with RNTCP monthly
6. If the individual is confirmed TB positive, document the details in HIV-TB register (Annexure A9). If
individual is TB negative, provide follow up details as required.
Process flow for suspected/confirmed TB Individuals who has come for HIV testing
1. Document details of the individual in the counselling register specifying referral from RNTCP
(Annexure A2)
2. Fill HIV-TB line with details of the individual (Annexure A8)
3. Conduct HIV testing as per applicable procedure and record the test results
4. Fill RNTCP form with HIV status and PID number of the individual (Annexure B3)
5. If tested HIV positive, link the individual to ART centres using Linkage Form in triplicate (Annexure
B1)
6. Review HIV-TB line list with RNTCP monthly and if tested TB positive as well, record their details in
HIV-TB register (Annexure A9)
7. If tested HIV negative, provide follow up details as required
Documents to be maintained at HCTS Confirmatory Facilities (SA-ICTC)
1. Counselling register for general individuals (Annexure A2)
2. Counselling register for pregnant women (Annexure A3)
3. HIV-TB Line list (Annexure A8)
4. HIV-TB register (Annexure A9)
5. Linkage Form in triplicate (Annexure B1)
6. RNTCP referral for diagnosis form (Annexure B3)
*Please ensure to get supplies of ‘RNTCP referral for diagnosis form’ from RNTCP
It is critical to have strong collaboration of HIV TB activities at all HCTS facilities to diagnose early and
significantly reduce morbidity and mortality due to HIV and TB dual infection. Effective prevention strategies,
early detection of HIV and TB by using newer methodologies, and prompt management of HIV and TB
infections through well-coordinated efforts with National AIDS Control Programme and Revised National TB
Control Programme will ensure sustainable long term success with these dual infections.
For more details, please refer to –

“Integrated Module for HIV/TB Collaborative Activities, 2015”

6
Linkage of HIV testing to care, support and

other prevention services

It is of no value to just test for HIV without linking HIV positive individuals to care and support; and HIV
negative individuals, if at continuing high risk, to prevention services.
Thus, it is essential to promptly link all those individuals who know their HIV status to appropriate care,
support or other prevention services. Linkage encompasses a spectrum of activities ranging from providing
information to a more complex process of ensuring efficient delivery and utilization of all requisite services
by the tested individuals based on their needs.
6.1 Process of Linkage:

HIV Testing is the entry point for comprehensive HIV care that aims to provide effective prevention
interventions to those at risk and quality life to PLHIV in terms of health, social and emotional wellbeing.
Hence, there is a wide spectrum of needs that the PLHIV might have and that can be met through effective
linkages to various service providers.
The process of linkage flows through a series of the following steps starting from assessing the need of the
individual to facilitation, linkage and documentation:
1. Assess Need: Identifying the need is the first step and should start immediately along with pre-test
counselling and the appropriate facility should be identified where the individual needs to be linked
for further services.
2. Prioritize Need: Often there are multiple immediate concerns that need attention which should
be prioritized by those affecting the health most, and carry risk if not addressed promptly. The
information regarding all required services should be provided to the individual.
3. Plan: Provide complete information regarding the facility where they are referred as address, contact
details, focal person, timings etc. and prepare individual as to what to expect when they visit the
particular facility.
4. Facilitate: Identify the barrier to linkage and explore the solutions on a case to case basis.
Accompanied referral may be offered with help of peers, outreach workers, counsellors or any other
health care providers and front-line health care workers for example: ANMs and ASHAs
5. Follow Up: Follow up the individual for completion of linkage and receive feedback. If the linkage is
incomplete and individual has not reached the facility, try to identify the specific barrier and provide
additional assistance, information wherever required.
6. Document: It is very important to document every linkage. M & E tools to monitor linkage include
Referral slips, Line lists, linkage software, records and reports.

Figure 6.1: PROCESS OF PLANNING A REFERRAL
6.2 Expected linkages at HCTS facilities:

HCTS facilities have multiple linkages with other healthcare facilities to provide better care and support to
individuals assessing HCTS. These linkages are established using seperate Linkage Form (Annexure B1) for
each healthcare facility. The linkages could be unidirectional as well as bi-directional.
6.2.1 Linkages at HCTS Screening Facilities

The key linkages at these facilities include:
1. Unidirectional linkage to HCTS Confirmatory Facilities (SA-ICTC) for individuals found to be reactive
to HIV at screening
2. Bidirectional linkage with other healthcare facilities including but not limited to:
a. RNTCP: All patients diagnosed with TB and presumptive TB cases
b. Maternal and Child Health: All pregnant/breastfeeding women
c. OPD/IPD of Health care settings: All individuals presenting with any signs or symptoms
suggestive of HIV or any Opportunistic Infection (OI) or medical condition suggestive of HIV
d. Nutritional Rehabilitation Clinics
e. STI/RTI Attendees: All individuals presenting with signs or symptoms of any STI/RTI in STI /RTI
Clinic/Obs&Gynae/Dermatology/any other health care setting should be screened for HIV
f. Adolescent friendly health clinics (RKSK)
g. Other facilities under NHM
Figure 6.2: Linkages at HCTS screening facilities
6.2.2 Linkages at HCTS Confirmatory Facilities (SA-ICTC)

The key linkages at these facilities include:
1. Unidirectional linkage to HTCS screening facilities for individuals who are coming to the SA-ICTC for
their confirmatory testing
2. Unidirectional linkage to ART centres for individuals found to be HIV positive
3. Bidirectional linkage with other healthcare facilities including but not limited to:
a. RNTCP: All patients diagnosed with TB and presumptive TB cases
b. Maternal and Child Health: All pregnant/breastfeeding women
c. OPD/IPD of Health care settings: All individuals presenting with any signs or symptoms sug-
gestive of HIV or any opportunistic infection or medical condition suggestive of HIV
d. Nutritional Rehabilitation Clinics
e. STI/RTI Attendees: All individuals presenting with signs or symptoms of any STI/RTI in STI /
RTI Clinic/Obs &Gynae/Dermatology/any other health care setting should be screened for HIV
f. Adolescent friendly health clinics (RSRK)
g. Family planning
h. Substance abuse
i. Other social support services and schemes
j. Other facilities under NHM

Figure 6.3: Linkages at HCTS confirmatory facilities
6.2.2.3 Mechanism to ensure linkage from SA-ICTC to ART

During the cascade of HIV services, the linkage from preventive services, diagnosis of HIV and registration
to HIV care remain the most critical initial steps. There are several mechanisms under the programme to
ensure that there is minimal linkage loss at these steps.
 Regular monthly meeting at District level to share the line list and track referrals of all PLHIV from
ICTC
 After confirmation of HIV diagnosis at SA-ICTC, efforts should be made to ensure PLHIV enrolment
at ART centre/LAC. In case of centres with co-located SA-ICTC and ART centers, accompanied
referrals should be promoted.
 The patient should also be guided to take address proof and 2 passport size photos with them
while going to ART centres. ART centres must send detailed feedback of PLHIV to centres that have
referred them. This will help in tracking patients to understand who are Lost to Follow up to ensure
effective actions are taken.

6.3 Roles and responsibilities of HCTS facilities to ensure effective linkage
Table 6.1: Roles and responsibilities of HCTS facilities to ensure linkage
Facility Name Roles & Responsibilities

 To coordinate with health settings and other national programs like RNTCP with potential
of PITC
SA-ICTC  Referral of positive individuals to ART centres or LAC plus for availing HIV care
 Confirmation of linkages in coordination with ART centers
 Documentation of referral and linkages through linkage documents
 Provide feedback to SA-ICTCs from where the individuals have been referred and linked
regarding confirmation of enrolment
 Refer spouses of HIV positive individuals at ART centres whose status is unknown to SA-
ART center ICTC for confirmation
 Refer sero-discordant couples to SA-ICTC for regular testing
 Refer children of HIV positive women to SA-ICTC whose status is unknown
 Arrange coordination meeting of all SA-ICTCs and ART centres in district
 Access linkage to and from HCTS facilities on a monthly basis
DAPCU
 Encourage PITC facilities for referrals
 Compile and manage district level linkage data
6.4 Barriers for Linkages and their addressal

Key barriers to linkage loss that have been identified through scientific studies and programme implementation
are as follows:
S.No. Key barriers for linkages Ways to address linkage barriers

Counsellors play an important role in explaining the importance of services such
as TB/STI diagnosis, counselling, nutrition etc. While providing the individual
Lack of understanding with the linkage slip, the counsellor must explain the purpose of referral clearly
1 of importance and to the individual.
requirement of services
Counsellors must be trained to spread awareness about the importance of
sharing this information with the individuals.
HIV test result might be shocking to some individuals. In such cases, counsellors
should provide psychological support and encourage these individuals to accept
Lack of confidence on the result and get registered at the ART centre for treatment initiation.
2
HIV test report
Counsellors should also schedule follow up counselling sessions with the
individuals to help them in accepting their HIV status.
Individuals should be referred to a facility which is most convenient to them –
either nearest to their residence or workplace.
Additionally, counsellors should provide knowledge about the route of
3 Distances
transportation and timings of the referral centre to the individual.
In case the individual is unable to visit the referred centre, then the counsellor
should arrange for transportation of the sample to the referral facility.

S.No. Key barriers for linkages Ways to address linkage barriers
HCTS facilities must not discriminate against with individuals arriving for HIV
testing or are diagnosed as HIV positive.
Fear of discrimination
Counsellors must be friendly to the individuals and must provide them with
4 and lack of friendly
information on HIV to reduce stigma and fear linked tothe disease.
environment
HCTS facilities should try to link the individual detected HIV positive to the
positive community to promote peer counselling with consent of the individual.
HCTS facilities must create internal systems and streamline procedures to
reduce waiting time and ensure that all visitors are well aware of the open
5 Long waiting time timings of the facility.
HCTS staff should be trained on relevant SOPs to ensure minimum delay in the
processes.
In case of any financial constraints, the HCTS facilities must reach out to the
6 Financial constraints
SACS or refer the individual to other well-equipped facility.
Counsellors must try to reach out to the local NGOs or train the relatives and
7 Lack of care givers
friends of the individual as care givers in case an individual needs a caregiver.
At SA-ICTC, all possible measures should be taken to identify issues and explore solutions to these barriers
on a case-to-case basis. In addition, there are many social benefit schemes and network support that can
be offered as solutions.

7
Capacity Building and Supportive Supervision of

Functionaries under HCTS

Capacity building of human resources is one of the critical in-built components for efficient implementation
of a programme at all levels. Capacity building encompasses standardized training-modules, plans,
mentoring and monitoring to ensure uniform programme implementation by different cadres across the
country. Capacity building of various cadres working under HCTS assumes greater importance as they are
the first point of contact for individuals who access these services.
7.1 Training for all HCTS facilities

Table 7.1: Training modules for all HCTS members:
Level of
S. Training
Training Program Eligible HCTS staff conducting Trainer Duration
No Module
training
New and untrained
Counsellors of Integrated
State /UT
Counsellors’ Integrated FICTC,PPP- Induction Master
1 at Identified Eight days
Induction Training ICTC,CBS,PITC, Training Trainers
Institutions
SA-ICTC, ARTC and Module
DSRC/STI
Counsellors’ Integrated Counsellors of FICTC,
Refresher Training PPP-ICTC, CBS,PITC,
Integrated Refresher I –
(Refresher I – after SA-ICTC, ARTC and State /UT Three days;
Refresher Master
2 two years of induction DSRC/STI, those at Identified
Training Trainers Refresher II
training and Refresher who have already Institutions
Module – Two days
II- after two years of Undergone Induction
Refresher I training) Training
SA-ICTC Medical
Officer*
ART Medical Officer
*
*Two days
SA-ICTC
Integrated HIV for Medical
HIV/TB Collaborative Counsellor** State/UT/ Master
3 / TB Training Officers
Training District ICTC District Trainers
Module **One day
Supervisor**
for others
RNTCP – STS /
STLS**
DR - TB HIV
Supervisors**
State
Reference
New and untrained
Induction Laboratory
Lab Technicians’ Lab technician at
4 State/UT Training (SRL)- In Five days
Induction Training SA - ICTC, F-ICTC &
Module charge and
PPP- ICTC
Technical
Officer

Level of
S. Training
Training Program Eligible HCTS staff conducting Trainer Duration
No Module
training
Lab Technicians’ In-service Lab SRL - In
Refresher Training Refresher
Technicians at SA charge and
5 State/UT Training Three days
After two years of - ICTC, F-ICTC, & Technical
Module
Induction Training PPP-ICTC Officer
Nurses / LHV / ANM DAPCU /

/ MPW Male / LT / Hands on
SA - ICTC
F - ICTC Staff’ Hands Pharmacist Sensitization
District / SA - Medical
6 on Sensitization and and One day
RNTCP – LT / STS / ICTC Officer,
Orientation Orientation
STLS Counsellor
Module
and LT
TI NGO Staff
DAPCU
District ICTC District ICTC Master
7 State/District Training Three days
Supervisors’ Training Supervisors Trainers
Module
Medical Officer,
Counsellor, Lab
SA – ICTC Staff’ Team Technician from SA
Training -ICTC and Labour Team Training Master
8 State Three days
Room Staff Nurse of Module Trainers
the Health Facility
where SA-ICTC is
located
DAPCU/
Medical, Nursing and At respective District
Paramedical Staff of Health Facility HIV Nodal
Full Site Sensitization Sensitization
9 the Health Facility where SA Officer/ SA- One day
on NACP Module
where SA-ICTC is – ICTC is ICTC MO,
located located Counsellor
& LT
SA - ICTC Password
Training on PLHIV Counsellor, ART Data Protected
State/District/ Master
10 - ART Linkage System Managerand DAPCU Software and One day
Facility Trainers
(PALS) and SACS M&E and Web -based
Data Managers User Manual
SA-ICTC – Counsellor
and Lab Technician
F-ICTC/PPP-ICTC/ SIMS Training
TI functionary State/District/ module Web Master
11 Training on SIMS conducting HIV One day
Facility -based User Trainers
screening tests, Manual
DAPCU, District
supervisor and SACS
officials

7.2 Supportive Supervision
HCTS are provided through SA-ICTCs, F-ICTCs, TI NGOs and health sub-centres.
NACO/GoI through its Basic Service Division (BSD) is responsible for the following key activities in respect
of HCTS in India:
1. Policy making, strategic planning, direction, guidance and capacity building for implementation,
monitoring, review, evaluation and providing feed-back for timely corrective measures in respect of
all the components of NACP to all the State AIDS Control Societies (SACS) in the country.
2. Coordinate and collaborate with National Health Mission to ensure efficient and effective HCTS in
the country.
Contact details of officer of Basic Services Division at NACO is at (Annexure E-8)
In context of HCTS, the supportive supervision levels from national through the peripheral levels are depicted
in the flow diagram below
Figure 7.2: Supportive Supervision levels under HCTS
Note: HIV screening at Sub-centre level should report to link PHC for SIMS F-ICTC reporting

Table 7.3: Supportive supervision of HCTS at various levels:
Level of Officials Responsible Level / Facility / Frequency of Mechanism of Supportive Supervision Tools for Supportive
Supportive for Supportive Functionaries to Supportive Supervision
Supervision Supervision be Supervised Supervision
State / UT - Joint Director/ Dy. All Districts - - At least one - Quarterly reviews with district and - SIMS and any
(SACS) Dir. /Asst. Dir. - District HIV/ district/month below level HCTS officers using other prescribed
- Quality Manager AIDS Nodal be visited up to standardized template. Record details report
- M&E officer Officers the peripheral for follow up actions. - Field Visit check
- Consultant PPTCT - District HCTS facility - In depth review , analysis and timely lists for HCTS at
- Regional Programme of the district feedback on reports generated through different levels &
Coordinator of Officers of by each of the SIMS and any other prescribed reports facilities
Basic Services DAPCUs SACS level BSD - Review through video conference - Registers, records
Division - SA-ICTC officers - Regular field visits and reports
- Mobile ICTCs - Approved - Mobilize inputs from other officers in maintained at
- PPP - ICTC tour plan and SACS /Directorate of Health Services/ various level of
- F-ICTC programme to Development partners working in the HCTS
- TI be shared with State/Community/NGOs etc - Reviewing various
all concerned - Review of action taken on earlier defined HCTS
at the State/UT feedbacks/directives given related indicators
and district to - Conduct well planned National - Feedback tool
be visited and State level reviews /appraisals/
evaluation using well designed
formatsand methodology
District - District HIV/AIDS - DAPCU staff - District level - Monthly reviews with district and - SIMS and any
Nodal Officer - SA-ICTC supervisory below level HCTS facility officers other prescribed
- District Programme - Mobile ICTC official to visit using standardized template; Record report
Officer of DAPCU - PPP ICTC every SA-ICTC details for follow up - Field Visit check
- District ICTC - F-ICTCs at least once - In depth review, analysis and timely lists for HCTS at
Supervisor - TIs a month; Visit feedback on reports generated through different facilities
- Monitoring every HCTS SIMS or any other prescribed reports - Registers, records
and Evaluation screening - Regular Field Visits and reports
Assistant centreat least - Mobilizing inputs from other officers maintained at
- Programme once a quarter in District Health Offices/Development various HCTS
assistant - Approved partners / Community/ NGOs etc facilities
monthly tour working in district - Reviewing various
plan and - Review actions taken on earlier defined HCTS
program, to be feedbacks/directives given related indicators
shared with - Conduct well planned district level - Feedback tool
all concerned reviews /Appraisals using well-
at district and designed formats and methodology
facilities to be
visited
Stand Alone - Medical Officer in- - SA-ICTC Staff - Every HCTS - Regular weekly reviews by the MO - SIMS and any
-ICTC charge - F-ICTCs facility linked I/C with the staff of SA-ICTC and other prescribed
- Counselor - Mobile ICTCs to the SA- appropriately recorded for follow up report
- Lab technician - PPP ICTCs ICTC should actions - Field Visit check
- TIs be visited at - In depth review, analysis and timely lists for HCTS at
- Linked to SA- least once in a feedback on reports of all the linked different facilities
ICTC quarter, by any HCTS facilities, generated through the - Registers, records
of the SA-ICTC SIMS and reports
staff. - Regular Field Visits maintained at
- The tour - Mobilizing inputs from Community/ various HCTS
plan and NGOs/Health workers etc in the facilities
program, duly jurisdiction of all the linked HCTS - Reviewing various
approved by facilities defined HCTS
the competent - Review of the action taken reports on related indicators
officer, should earlier feedbacks/directives given to - Feedback tool
be appropriately the linked HCTS facilities
displayed at
SA-ICTC and
shared with
all concerned
facilities to be
visited.

Level of Officials Responsible Level / Facility / Frequency of Mechanism of Supportive Supervision Tools for Supportive
Supportive for Supportive Functionaries to Supportive Supervision
Supervision Supervision be Supervised Supervision
F-ICTC/ - Medical officer - Identified staff - On a daily basis - Regular weekly review with the - SIMS & any other
TI/ Mobile in-charge of for conducting identified staff responsible for HIV prescribed report
ICTC/PPP- health facility HCTS at screening and counseling at F-ICTC - Field Visit to
ICTC where F-ICTC is F-ICTC / PPP- - Facilitating the correct compilation and Health Sub centres
established ICTC / Mobile timely uploading monthly report in - Registers, records
ICTC / TI the SIMS and reports
- Review of the action taken on earlier maintained at
feedbacks/directives given to F-ICTC F-ICTCs and Health
Sub-centers
- Reviewing various
defined HCTS
related indicators
- Feedback to the
functionaries
7.3 Role of SACS in capability building

1. Each State AIDS Control Society (SACS) is responsible for efficient planning, implementation,
coordination, monitoring, reporting and ensuring timely corrective measure in respect of all the
above said training programs in the respective State/UT.
2. SACS should ensure an appropriate involvement of the District HIV Nodal Officers, DAPCUs,
identified training centres and suitable master trainers as per subject needs.
3. The frequency of conducting the above training programs should be decided by the SACS as per the
training needs and Annual Action Plan.
4. The trainings conducted should be reported, on a monthly basis, by all SACS through SIMS.
5. SACS should ensure that supportive supervision is provided at each level for all the defined roles
and responsibilities of HCTS functionaries and activities of HCTS facilities to ensure efficient
implementation as per the prescribed guidelines and norms.
6. SACS must see that continued supportive supervision is provided to enhance the efficiency and
effectiveness of HCTS at all levels of service delivery and for all functionaries so as to maintain
desired quality standards.
7. SACS must ensure timely and accurate reporting of HR & Training conducted by filling quarterly HR
& Training Format (Annexure C10) to be uploaded in SIMS.
Details of BSD In-charge at SACS is at (Annexure E-9)

8
Supply Chain Management under HCTS

Supply Chain Management (SCM) spans all movement and storage of HCTS related commodities (HIV Test
Kits and consumables, Syrup Nevirapine and Zidovudine, DBS Cards and collection kits, registers etc.), from
the point of origin to the point of consumption.
8.1 Supply Chain Management under HCTS

To ensure timely availability of HCTS commodities, it is important that effective coordination is maintained
at all levels in the supply chain. HCTS facilities should ensure that their demand estimates reach NACO in
a timely manner for efficient procurement. While demand estimates flow upward from HCTS facilities to
NACO, flow of goods is downward from NACO to the HCTS facilities.
Below are the roles and responsibilities of each of the levels in HCTS supply chain hierarchy:
Figure 8.1: HCTS Supply Chain Management (SCM) at different levels

Table 8.1: SCM under HCTS at different levels
S.No. Level of SCM SCM responsibility

1. NACO  Forecast the State/UT wise need as per the annual action plan (AAP) and pro-
cure HCTS commodities for each to ensure uninterrupted availability of stock in
the programme.
 Closely monitor the storage, distribution and utilization of commodities from
States/UTs through all facilities for taking timely corrective measures.
2. SACS  Forecast the district-wise need and submit the indent to NACO for necessary
procurement.
 Receive, store, distribute and monitor the utilization of commodities as per the
prescribed norms, and ensure similar actions across all the districts.
 Ensure all-time availability of stocks at all facilities.
 Ensure timely submission of duly completed, signed and stamped consignee
receipt certificate (CRC) and consignee acceptance certificate (CAC) to the sup-
plier, procurement agency and NACO.
 SACS and the State/UT NHM both should work in close coordination for ensur-
ing an efficient SCM in the State/UT.
3. District  Forecast the facility-wise need and submit the indent to SACS for necessary
procurement.
 Receive, store, distribute and monitor the utilization of commodities, as per the
prescribed norms, and ensure similar actions across all facilities in the district.
 Ensure all-time availability of stocks at all facilities.
 Whenever supplies are received directly from the supplier,ensure timely submis-
sion of duly completed, signed and stamped CRC and CAC by the district to the
supplier, procurement agency and NACO.
 District HIV and RCH nodal officers should work in close coordination for en-
suring an efficient SCM in the district.
4. HCTS Confirmatory  Facilitate identification of the need for WBFP HIV test kits and related records/
facility (SA- ICTC) reports at the HCTS screening facilities for HIV and submit the indent to the
district for necessary supplies.
 Receive, store, distribute and monitor the utilization of commodities, as per the
prescribed norms, at the SA-ICTC and ensure similar actions across all linked
HCTS screening facilitiesfor HIV.
 Ensure all-time availability of stocks at the SA-ICTC and at all linked HCTS
screening facilitiesfor HIV.
 The SA-ICTC should work in close coordination with the linked HCTS screening
facilitiesfor HIV to ensure an efficient SCM.
5. HCTS screening  Identify the need for WBFP HIV test kit and related records/reports at the facil-
facility(FICTC/TI/ ity and submit the indent to the linked SA-ICTC for necessary supplies.
PPP-ICTC etc.)  Receive, store and monitor the utilization of commodities, as per the prescribed
norms, at the facility.
 Ensure all-time availability of stocks at the facility in close coordination with
the linked SA-ICTC for an efficient SCM.
Note: Always remember and practice -

HIV test kits should be stored at temperature between 2 to 8 °C at all levels
a) Ensure maintenance of cold chain while transporting HIV test kits from the Storage unit to HIV
testing facility
b) Use the FEFO (First-Expiry, First-Out) rule: First supplies that are likely to expire are to be taken out/
supplied first
c) Meticulously maintain stock and temperature log records
d) Protect from heat, light, moisture/rain, dust, pests and fire
8.2 Reporting, review and prompt follow up action on status of

commodities
The reporting structure for all HCTS facilities is reflected in the figure 8.3below:
Every facility (storing and testing) has to submit a weekly status report of commodities in the prescribed
format (Annexure C11) and as per the time lines indicated in the table below:
Figure 8.3 Reporting structure for HCTS facilities for stock status
For example: By Monday (say 7th November 2016), HCTS Screening Facilities will submit stock status for
the previous week to SA-ICTC. By Tuesday (8th November 2016), SA-ICTC will submit a consolidated stock
status of previous week to District HIV centre. District HIV centre will consolidate details of all SA-ICTC and
share details of district level stock to SACS by Wednesday (9th November 2016). SACS will in turn share the
consolidated state level details with NACO by Thursday (10th November 2016) of every week.
All HCTS facilities should also update stock status details as present in the SIMS format (Annexure C1,
Annexure C2 & Annexure C8) by the 5th of every month and ensure timely submission of quarterly reports
as given in Annexure C9.

It is necessary to ensure that an appropriate feedback mechanism is established for efficient functioning of
all HCTS facilities.
1. NACO must share its feedback with SACS on all the important parameters
2. SACS can further provide feedback to Districts as well as HCTS screening and confirmatory facilities
3. District can also disseminate their feedback to all HCTS screening and confirmatory facilities
4. HCTS confirmatory facilities (SA-ICTC) can provide feedback to HCTS screening facilities
8.3 Common supplies to be maintained at HCTS facilities

Supplies to be maintained at HCTS Screening Facilities
 HIV test kits
 Condoms
 Manuals, reporting forms and registers (as mentioned in Annexure)
Supplies to be maintained at HCTS Confirmatory Facilities (SA-ICTC)

 HIV test kits
 HIV test kits for emergency testing
 EID DBS kits
 Safe Delivery Kits
 Condoms
 Lab consumables (reagents, pipettes, test-tubes)
 Sharp boxes - Cleaning supplies such as bleach - Latex gloves - Auto-disabled syringes
 Medical equipment consumables such as test-tube racks, pipettes, pipette tips, and specimen tubes,
gloves, swabs etc
 Disinfectants and cleaning supplies, sharps disposal bins
 Manuals, reporting forms and registers (as mentioned in Annexure)
*Please note that ‘RNTCP forms’ as per (Annexure B3) will be provided by the RNTCP
At every HCTS level viz. F-ICTC, SA-ICTC, District/DAPCU and SACS, Person-In-charge should regularly and
meticulously monitor and ensure all time availability of adequate stocks of various commodities at each
HCTS facility under their supervision. Wherever required the timely re-location of the HCTS commodities,
with due approval of the next higher authority, should be undertaken in order to ensure that there is no
shortage and critical stock situation at any HCTS facility.

9
Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization

Information, Education and Communication (IEC) is strategically positioned and integrated with all
components of the NACP so as to achieve the goal of ‘accelerating reversal and integrating the response’.
9.1 Advocacy
Advocacy is a central pillar of strategic communication. The NACP regularly conducts advocacy with a range
of stakeholders including
 Members of Parliament and policy-makers

 Administrative machinery at different levels
 Corporate sector
 Civil society
 Media and with other ministries/departments
 Others
This is done in order to mainstream the prevention of HIV, which helps to reduce stigma and discrimination.
An enabling environment presupposes a proactive advocacy strategy.
Advocacy efforts should reach out to the district and panchayat-level leadership.
The advocacy with the National Advisory Council headed by Hon’ble Prime Minister resulted in continuous
political will and formation of a parliamentary forum as well as state legislative forum on HIV/AIDS. This
facilitated the continuous support and achievements of the NACP in India.
Advocacy should be continuously ensured with the media, opinion leaders, civil societies, industrial
organizations, employee welfare associations and unorganized sectors up to the peripheral level. The
partnering agencies may pool their advocacy resources and efforts, and liaise with the NACP advocacy
efforts.
9.2 IEC activities

IEC activities are important for:
1. Enhancing awareness and knowledge levels among the general population to promote safer behaviour
focusing especially on youth and women;
2. Motivating and sustaining behaviour change across different at-risk vulnerable population sub-
groups, bridge and core groups;
3. Generating a demand for quality services;
4. Strengthening the enabling environment by facilitating appropriate changes in societal norms that
reinforce positive attitudes, beliefs and practices.

The strategic communication approach in the NACP is reflected in innovation, evidence-based programming
and in ensuring synergy between communication and programme priorities.
In view of the concentrated HIV epidemic in India, prevention is the thrust of the programme. The focus is
on demand generation for uptake of servicesby the general population, especially the youth and women;
identified populations at risk, including the core populations and bridge populations; and strengthening the
enabling environment.
9.2.1 Communication objectives

1. To provide adequate information about the services available and how to access them
2. To strengthen access to the services by addressing psychosocial barriers and building up a friendly
and non-stigmatizing environment
3. To strengthen communication competencies of functionaries under HTS
4. To educate communities on their rights and entitlements to avail quality services
5. To promote health-seeking behaviour and make informed choices
9.2.2 Communication strategies and actions

While NACO is responsible for creating the prototypes of IEC material, it is the responsibility of SACS to
refine, replicate and distribute the IEC materials in their respective states, and ensure that it is properly
displayed and disseminated at all HCTS facilities.
Information display under NACP
1. Thematic mass-media campaigns to promote services for counselling and testing, PPTCT, STI,
HIV–TB and voluntary blood donation will be conducted supported by outdoor, mid-media and
interpersonal communication (IPC) activities. All communication channels to reach the general
population should be used.
2. The available display and IPC materials used at service centres, such as information panels, posters,
flip charts, booklets, pamphlets, etc. should be reviewed and updated in the local and cultural
context and replicated. IPC materials on rights and entitlements of communities to quality services
should be developed.
3. Signs and signages should be ensured within the facility premises for easy access to services.
4. Provision of people-friendly services should be prominently displayed in the hospital / service centre.
5. Local branding of services may be considered to build confidence in the facility (appropriate
ambience, good posters, etc.).
Linkages to other healthcare facilities
1. Linkages with other services for cross-referral should also be ensured through the communication
material.

2. Linkages with hospital redressal systems should be strengthened in case of unsatisfactory services.
3. HIV communication strategies and packages should be integrated with health services of the NHM
(RNTCP, Reproductive and Child Health [RCH]) and other departments/ministries.
Training of healthcare workers
1. Capacity building should be done of service providers / counsellors on communication job aids for
effective, sensitive and participatory IPC, based on the principles of social inclusion, rights, gender,
reducing stigma and discrimination, and addressing psychosocial barriers in accessing services.
2. Special attention should be given to women, children and most-at-risk populations. Male responsibility
in sharing the care and support burden at home, and vulnerability factors such as gender violence
should be addressed.
Establishing credibility of HCTS services
1. Credibility of services should be enhanced through sharing of testimonials from those who have
availed and benefitted from the services, and documenting and disseminating the human interest
outcomes in reducing stress, despair and hopelessness.
2. Misleading advertisements by quacks should be countered both through publicizing correct
information on quality services and possible police/legal action.
Enhancing performance of HCTS services
1. To set standards, an incentive-based system of awards may be considered.
2. A few model service centres from the communication perspective may be developed in every state/
UT for replication.
9.2.3 Communication channels to reach the general population

Addressing the “general population” would require an integrated set of channels, harnessed according
to strategic media planning, which would help arrive at the most suitable media mix to reach identified
audiences with select campaign themes.
Figure 9.1: Communication channels

9.2.4 Generating demand for services
Uptake of quality services for prevention, testing, treatment, care and support is a key thrust area of the
NACP. Appropriate communication actions will be taken to enhance and sustain the demand for services.
9.3 Social welfare and protection schemes for people infected with and
affected by HIV
PLHIV face various socio-economic vulnerabilities such as job insecurity, poor access to health-care facilities,
low access to nutritional support, education for children, etc. Self and social stigma and discrimination
further affect their social support system. Due to the burden of increased illness, they may suffer loss
of jobs and income, rising medical expenses, depletion of savings and other resources, food insecurity,
psychological stress and social exclusion. Children affected by AIDS tend to be more socially vulnerable
since their positive status could lead them to be socially excluded and marginalized, and drive them to
poverty and ill-health. Those infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS have needs beyond HIV prevention
and treatment services.
Although the primary task of providing care and support to PLHIV is with the health sector, the non-health
sector can play an important and meaningful role in reducing the vulnerability to HIV and mitigate the
impact of HIV on those infected and affected.
Various stakeholders such as departments and institutions under different ministries, civil society, elected
representatives from the local self-government, religious and opinion leaders can play a crucial role in
helping PLHIV. PLHIV can be linked to available services, schemes or entitlements that may specifically
be developed for them, or to generally available social, legal and economic welfare schemes that might
help them to mitigate the impact of HIV and tide over socioeconomic hardships and make them feel more
accepted within civil society.
9.3.1 Social protection and welfare measures

All PLHIV accessing services in SA-ICTC, F-ICTCs, PPP-ICTCs, TI-ICTCs, and other HCTS facilities should be
made aware of and provided information about the social benefit schemes that are available in their state of
residence. The priority population should be prioritized for the provision of these services.
The following are some social protection and welfare schemes currently available for PLHIV:
9.3.1.1 Social protection helpdesk

SACS are taking the initiative of the DAPCU-led single window model on social protection for PLHIV, MARPs
and children affected by AIDS (CABA) to facilitate one-point access to information on the benefits of various
existing government and welfare schemes.
The HIV/AIDS-related facilities in the district (e.g.TI, CBS, state and district network of positive people,
ICTC, Suraksha [STI] clinic, ART centre, link ART centre, link workers scheme[LWS], care and support
centre [CSC] etc.) are encouraged to establish social protection helpdesks within the existing structure of
facilities.

The objective of these helpdesks is to sensitize key populations on HIV-sensitive social protection, generate
demand and facilitate access to social entitlements (e.g. voter identity card, Aadhaarcard, ration card, below
poverty line [BPL] card, etc.) and HIV social protection schemes (e.g. nutrition, insurance, free transport,
livelihood, housing, pension and other financial assistance, etc.).
9.3.1.2 Social entitlement and social protection schemes

Social entitlements basically cover issuance of voter ID cards, permanent account number (PAN) card,
identity proof, residence proof, bank account, and BPL / Aadhaar card. These documents are important
for enrolment in social welfare schemes and for accessing benefits. Social protection may be ensured
broadly in the areas of social, economic and legal protection. It may cover travel support, nutrition support,
psychosocial support, financial assistance, insurance, legal aid, housing/shelter, skill building, livelihood,
etc. If there is evidence of abuse, PLHIV should be given information and referred to legal services.
9.3.1.3 Sensitive social protection portal

The HIV-sensitive social protection portal is a searchable database on social welfare schemes relevant to
MARPs and PLHIV. It serves as a resource for facilitating organizations that work with MARPs and PLHIV
communities, as well as for AIDS-affected communities interested in accessing schemes. The portal is a
resource for service providers, who can access it on their information technology (IT) system, to provide
immediate information related to social welfare and protection in the requisite states. The link for this
website is http://socialprotection.in/.
Some common social protection schemes offered by the Central and state governments are as listed below
and counsellors should appropriately guide needy PLHIV during counselling:
1. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)

2. Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojna (SGSY)
3. Indira Aawas Yojana (IAY)
4. Indira Gandhi National Pension Scheme
5. Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)
6. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY)
7. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana
8. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana
9. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
10. Janani Surakhsha Yojana
11. Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG/Sabla)
12. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)
13. Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

14. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)
15. National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)
16. Travel concession (railways, state transport)
17. Pension schemes
18. Small loans for microcredit programmes
Notes:
 If a social protection helpdesk exists within the facility, PLHIV should be made aware of this.
 PLHIV, MARP, caregivers of CABA should be made aware of social entitlements and social
protection schemes.
 Messages on social welfare schemes should be communicated and a regular course of action for
demand generation created. PLHIV should be encouraged to enroll in social entitlements and
social welfare schemes.
 PLHIV should be linked with the DAPCU of their district and other available facilities in the district
(such as TI NGO, ICTC, ART centre, district network of positive people) for further assistance on
availing social protection benefits.
 Counsellors should coordinate with the social protection helpdesk and DAPCU for facilitation of
awareness and demand-generation activities such as camp and other activities.

10
Information Management System

The information management system revolves around the following major guiding principles:
1. To know the socio-demographic details of individuals accessing services;

2. To monitor the services that are being provided to individuals;
3. To evaluate whether the programmatic response is adequate and highlight areas for improvement.
10.1 Information management systems

This section encompasses data recording in registers and reporting from every reporting unit to the district,
State/UT and national levels through SIMS, as summarized in Table 10.1.
Table 10.1: HCTS facilities and their corresponding registers, records and reporting formats
S.No. HCTS facility Existing registers, records and forms Reporting formats
1 HCTS Confirmatory Registers:  SA-ICTC monthly and

Facilities 1. Counselling register for general individuals quarterly SIMS format
(SA-ICTC -public, (Annexure A2)  PLHIV ART linkage
mobile and PPP 2. Counselling register for pregnant women system (PALS)
models) (Annexure A3) HIV positive reporting
3. Laboratory register(Annexure A4) for general individual
4. Stock register at SA-ICTC (Annexure A6) & pregnant women
5. Temperature Log Book (Annexure A7)  Excel-based reporting-
6. HIV–TB line list (Annexure A8) o Weekly stock
7. HIV–TB register (Annexure A9) report of
8. ICTC HIV exposed Infant/Child Register commodities
(Annexure A10)
under basic
9. HIV Positive Pregnant Women Delivery
services division.
Register (Annexure A11)
10. Outreach Activity Registers (Annexure A13)
11. Visitor’s Register (Annexure A14)
Forms:
1. Linkage form in Triplicate(Annexure B1)
2. Indent form (Annexure B2)
3. RNTCP form for referral for Diagnosis
(Annexure B3)
Reports:
1. SIMS monthly report (Annexure C1)
2. Laboratory reports (Annexure C4)
3. Daily worksheet for laboratory technician
(Annexure C5)
4. Dashboard Indicators (Annexure C7)
5. SIMS quarterly report (Annexure C9)
Cards:
1. PLHIV card for General Individuals (Annexure
D1)
2. PPTCT Beneficiary card (Annexure D2)
3. EIC card (Annexure D3)
4. Discordant couple card (Annexure D4)

S.No. HCTS facility Existing registers, records and forms Reporting formats
2 HCTS Screening 1. Counselling register (Annexure A1) / (Annex-  Monthly SIMS format
Facilities ure A12)  Stock report
(public, mobile, 2. Linkage form in triplicate (Annexure B1)
TI, PPP-ICTC and 3. Laboratory report for screened non-reactive
ancillary health-care (Annexure C3)
provider models) 4. Stock register (Annexure A5)
7. Indent for HCTS Commodities (Annexure
B2)
8. SIMS reporting formats (Annexure C2) / (An-
nexure C8)
9. Dashboard Indicators at HCTS Screening
Facilities (Annexure C6)
Note:- HCTS facility may store record/regis. as per the names of medical record storage of the institute.
The formats of all the registers, records, forms and reports, including SIMS format, are provided in the
Annexure as mentioned above.
10.2 Strategic Information Management System (SIMS)

SIMS is a web-based reporting and data management system that captures monthly aggregated data from
reporting units under the NACP across the country. As soon as the data are entered in SIMS they become
accessible in real time across all levels of programme implementation. Only the reporting unit can edit/
modify the data, and across the reporting hierarchy the data once entered cannot be tampered by any other
level.
10.3 HIV case reporting through PALS (PLHIV-ART Linkages System)

PALS (https://plhiv.naco.gov.in) is a user friendly web based application with following two modules:
1. PPTCT module - to capture PPTCT programme cascade of services provided to HIV positive
pregnant/breastfeeding women and their exposed babies and
2. ICTC module - for capturing data related to all the PLHIVs (other than HIV positive pregnant/
breastfeeding women) whom we refer as general individuals.
HIV case reporting is done for each individual with a confirmed diagnosis of HIV through PALS System
(PLHIV-ART Linkage System). Case reporting of HIV positive individual through PALS is the responsibility
of the Counsellor at SA-ICTC in a prescribed format that captures socio-demographic, behavioural variables
and linkage to care, support and treatment services details. The SA-ICTC counsellor has to fill the form for
each HIV-positive individual detected in their respective SA-ICTC. The format, data definition and guidelines
for filling the form are available online at the following link: https://plhiv.naco.gov.in/pdfs/UserManualICTC.
pdf/.
PALS software is designed by NACO with the Technical Assistance from PEPFAR, US CDC and partners VHS, Chennai
& FHI 360 to capture information related to all People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in the country.

10.3.1 PALS- Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission of HIV (PPTCT) Module
PALS- PPTCT module is a web-based system used to register and track HIV-positive pregnant and breast-
feeding women and their exposed babies till 18 months. PALS helps us to:
l Track the HIV-positive pregnant and breast feeding women, linkage to ART centre and adherence to
ART, outcome of her pregnancy, and following the HIV-exposed baby to ensure that all EID tests are
done, results are received and the child is linked to ART if tested HIV positive.
l Monitor the PPTCT performance at the District, State/UT and national levels on various aspects such
as early detection, ART linkage, EID testing, family planning, spouse testing, etc.
Currently, there are two data entry modules in PPTCT module, namely, (a) the SA-ICTC module and (b) the
ART module. Data entry in the SA-ICTC module would be done by the SA-ICTC counsellor and for the ART
module data entry would be done by the ART data manager. As soon as a pregnant or breast-feeding woman
is confirmed to have HIV infection, her demographic and HIV testing details are entered into the SA-ICTC
module. When she reaches the ART centre, a minimal set of details are entered into the ART module in
the same system. However, for women who are already under ART care and become pregnant, their details
would be entered in the ART module by the SA-ICTC counsellor where the pregnant women are accessing
ANC services.
10.3.2 PALS- General Individual Module

PALS- General Individual module is a web-based system used to register and track all HIV-positive individuals
(other than PPTCT beneficiaries including pregnant and breastfeeding women who are newly diagnosed as
HIV positive and their exposed babies till 18 months). The module is developed to:
1. Track the HIV-positive adults and children, linkage to ART Centre and adherence to ART.
2. Monitor the ICTC performance at the District, State /UT and National levels on various aspects such
as HIV detection, ART linkage, family planning, spouse testing etc.
There are two data entry modules in PALS- ICTC module, namely, (a) the SA-ICTC module and (b) the
ART module. Data entry in the SA-ICTC module would be done by the SA-ICTC counsellor and for the ART
module data entry would be done by the ART data manager. As soon as a General beneficiary is confirmed
to have HIV infection, beneficiaries demographic and HIV testing details are entered into the SA-ICTC
module. When the beneficiary reaches the ART Centre, a minimal set of details are entered into the ART
module in the same system.
For more details on SA-ICTCT and ART modules, please refer to:
“PLHIV ART Linkages System (PALS) https://plhiv.naco.gov.in”

Table 10.2: Responsibility and Frequency of Reporting at different HCTS facilities
S.No. Reporting module Responsible staff Frequency/time line for reporting

1. SIMS/HCTS SA-ICTC counselor and LT By 5th of every month for monthly report
confirmatory
Quarterly report end of each quarter
facility
2. SIMS/HCTS Identified health-care By 5th of every month
Screening facility provider in F-ICTC
3. PALS/HCTS SA-ICTC counselor Daily (if not possible for any genuine reason, ensure
confirmatory weekly reporting on every Friday)
facility
4. PALS/ART ART data manager Daily (if not possible for any genuine reason, ensure
weekly reporting on every Friday)
SACS has to review and verify the reports for data completeness, consistency and correctness, and should
ensure that the report is submitted to NACO by the 15th of every month. Basic Services Division (BSD)/
NACO will provide necessary feedback whenever immediate corrective actions are warranted on the part
of SACS.

11
Testing for Syphilis

Syphilis is one of the STIs/RTIs caused by Treponema pallidum, and is easily preventable, diagnosable and
curable. Untreated syphilis may cause multisystem complications. Moreover, in pregnant women, it may
lead to miscarriage, premature delivery, low-birth weight and congenital syphilis.
The Government of India (GoI) is a signatory to the global target for elimination of mother-to-child transmission
of HIV and syphilis. To achieve this, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), GoI has included
screening for HIV and syphilis as components in the essential antenatal care services in the public as well
as private sectors.
To reach this national goal of elimination, the NACP and RCH programmes under the MoHFW, GoI, are
together scaling up screening for HIV and syphilis at all health facilities under the National Health Mission
(NHM).
It is not feasible to prevent and control syphilis among pregnant women without strengthening testing
and treating of syphilis among the general and bridge populations. All symptomatic and asymptomatic
individuals seeking STI/RTI services should be screened and treated for syphilis and HIV. The programme
recommends periodic screening of high-risk populations for both HIV and syphilis.
The commonly used serological tests for the diagnosis of syphilis are rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test or
venereal diseases research laboratory (VDRL) test, and point-of-care (PoC) test.
The programme recommends using WBFP PoC tests for syphilis and HIV at all health facilities below the
district hospital level, and the RPR test for syphilis in facilities at the district level and above. The WBFP
PoC test for syphilis and HIV should be used to screen un-booked direct-in-labour pregnant women, at all
levels of the health system, to ensure that no pregnant woman remains untested.
RPR testing for syphilis is needed to confirm the diagnosis of congenital syphilis in the newborn and to
assess the impact of treatment in the mother, her partner and newborn.
Screening for syphilis is the responsibility of all laboratories in the health-care system, and management of
syphilis-positive individuals is the responsibility of medical officers at all health-care facilities/institutions in
the country.
All relevant records and reports in this regard should be meticulously maintained at all health facilities. The
health facility will also ensure the supply chain and logistics management of test kits and consumables
under close supervision of the facility in-charge, and take timely corrective measures as needed.
All pregnant women found reactive for syphilis by any test should be promptly treated for syphilis at the same
health facility, and her partner should also be screened and treated with atleast one dose of InjBenzathine
Penicillin. Institutional delivery should be ensured for all pregnant women found positive for syphilis, where
they have a paediatrician or skilled medical officer to draw blood from the newborn. The newborn of a
syphilis-positive mother has to be tested and treated, as detailed in the “Elimination of congenital syphilis”
guidelines. Refer (Annexure E2) for D.O. letter issued by AS& MD (NHM) and AS & DG (NACO) regarding
Universal Screening of Pregnant Women for HIV & Syphilis.

For further details, please refer to -
“Strategy and implementation plan for elimination of congenital syphilis (ECS)”, jointly issued by NACO
and NHM/MoHFW, Government of India, 2015 available at www.naco.gov.in

Glossary
AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, a condition characterized by a combination of signs and
symptoms, caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which attacks and weakens the body’s immune
system making the HIV-positive person susceptible to life threatening conditions or other conditions as may
be specified from time to time
Ancillary health care provider: any person who performs functions related to health-care delivery and
has been trained to deliver specific services but has not received a formal professional or paraprofessional
certificate/diploma/degree
Concentrated epidemic: HIV has spread rapidly in a defined subpopulation (such as men who have sex
with men, sex workers, transgender people, people who use drugs, or people in prison or closed settings)
but is not well established in the general population. This type of epidemic suggests that there are active
networks of people with high risk behaviours within the subpopulation. The future course of the epidemic is
determined by the nature of the links between subpopulations with a high HIV prevalence and the general
population. Numerical proxy: HIV prevalence is consistently over 5% in at least one defined subpopulation
but is below 1% in pregnant women attending antenatal clinics
Early infant diagnosis (EID): refers totesting of children less than 18 months of age to determine their HIV
status, given that HIV can be acquired in utero (during pregnancy), peripartum (during delivery), postpartum
(through breastfeeding) or via parenteral exposure
External Quality Assessment (EQA): inter-laboratory comparison to determine if the HIV testing service can
provide correct test results and diagnosis
Generalized epidemic: HIV is firmly established in the general population. Although subpopulations at high
risk may contribute disproportionately to the spread of HIV, sexual networking in the general population is
sufficient to sustain the epidemic. Numerical proxy: HIV prevalence is consistently over 1% in pregnant
women attending antenatal clinics
Global UN 90-90-90 Targets: The global 90-90-90 targets call for 90% of all people with HIV to be
diagnosed, 90% of people with HIV diagnosed to receive ART and 90% of those on ART to have suppressed
viral load by 2020
Healthcare provider: Any individual whose vocation or profession is directly or indirectly related to the
maintenance of the health of another individual and includes any physician, nurse, paramedic, psychologist,
counsellor or other individual providing medical, nursing, psychological or other healthcare services including
HIV prevention and treatment services
High Risk Group (HRG): Defined groups who, due to specific higher-risk behaviours, are at increased risk
for HIV, irrespective of the epidemic type or local context. These guidelines refer to the following groups as
key populations: men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, people in prisons and other closed
settings, sex workers and transgender people

HIV-affected person: An individual who is HIV-positive or whose partner (with whom such individual
normally resides) is HIV-positive or has lost a partner (with whom such individual resided) due to AIDS
HIV test: A diagnostic blood test to determine the presence HIV infection
Informed consent: Consent given by any individual or his representative specific to a proposed intervention
without any coercion, undue influence, fraud, mistake or misrepresentation and such consent obtained after
informing such individual or his representative, as the case may be, such information, as specified in the
guidelines, relating to risks and benefits of, and alternatives to, the proposed intervention in such language
and in such manner as understood by that individual or his representative, as the case may be
Non-reactive test result: a test result that does not show a reaction indicating the presence of analyte
Quality assurance (QA): a systematic and planned approach to assessing, monitoring and improving the
quality of health services on a continuous basis within available resources
Quality control (QC): an assessment of product compliance with stated requirements
Quality Management System: A management system of coordinated activities to direct and control an
organization with regard to quality (ISO 9000)
Rapid diagnostic test (RDT): in vitro diagnostic of immune chromatographic or immune filtration format for,
in the case of HIV diagnosis, the detection of HIV-1/2 antibodies and / or HIV p24 antigen
Sensitivity: denotes the probability that an HIV assay or a testing algorithm will correctly identify all
specimens that contain HIV-1/2 antibodies and/or HIV p24 antigen
Sero-conversion: when an individual produces a quantity of HIV antibodies sufficient to be detectable on a

given HIV serological assay
Sero-discordant couple: a couple in which one partner is HIV-positive and one partner is HIV-negative
Specificity: denotes the probability that the assay or a testing algorithm will correctly detect specimens that
do not contain HIV-1/2 antibodies and/or HIV-1 p24 antigen
Testing algorithm:Combination and sequence of specific assays used within HIV testing strategies
Testing strategy: generically describes a testing sequence for a specific objective, taking into consideration
the presumed HIV prevalence in the population being tested
Universal Precautions: Control measures that prevent exposure to or reduce, the risk of transmission of
pathogenic agents (including HIV) and includes education, training, personal protective equipment such as
gloves, gowns and masks, hand washing, and employing safe work practices

Pre-Test Counselling: Refers to the basic information provided to the individuals on HIV/AIDS prior to testing
which includes information on confidentiality, risk assessment of the individual and procedural details on
testing
Post Test Counselling: Refers to the counselling provided to the individual after HIV testing to help him/her
understand the meaning of the HIV test result
Follow-up Testing: Refers to HIV testing of individuals who are at risk of acquiring HIV infection at regular
time intervals
Follow-up Counselling: Refers to repeat counselling provided to individuals accessing HCTS as per his/her
requirements
Self- Initiated testing: Self-initiated/individual initiated testing refers to cases where individuals actively
seek HIV testing and counselling at an HCTS facility
Provider-Initiated Testing and Counselling (PITC): PITC refers to HIV testing and counselling recommended
by health care providers to people attending health care facilities whose clinical presentation might indicate
an underlying HIV infection
Window Period: The window period is the time between potential exposure to HIV infection and the point
when the test gives an accurate result. During the window period, a person can be infected with HIV and be
infectious but have a negative HIV test. The window period is different for different types of tests

List of Annexures

A. Registers Annexure A1 Counselling Register at HCTS Screening Facility (F-ICTC & PPP-ICTC) 120
Annexure A2 Counselling Register for General Individuals at HCTS Confirmatory 121
Facility (SA-ICTC)
Annexure A3 Counselling Register for Pregnant Women at HCTS Confirmatory 122
Facility (SA-ICTC)
Annexure A4 Lab Register at HCTS Confirmatory Facility (SA-ICTC) 123
Annexure A5 Stock Register at HCTS Screening Facility 123
Annexure A6 Stock Register at HCTS Confirmatory Facility (SA-ICTC) 123
Annexure A7 Temperature Log book at all HCTS facilities 124
Annexure A8 HIV-TB Line list at HCTS Confirmatory Facility (SA-ICTC) 125
Annexure A9 HIV-TB Register at HCTS Confirmatory Facility (SA-ICTC) 125
Annexure A10 ICTC HIV exposed Infant/Child register 126
Annexure A11 HIV Positive Pregnant Women delivery register at HCTS Confirmatory 127
facility (SA-ICTC)
Annexure A12 Counselling Register at HCTS Screening Facilities (TI-ICTC) 128
Annexure A13 Out Reach Activity Register for HCTS Confirmatory Facilities 129
Annexure A14 Visitor’s Register 130
B. Forms Annexure B1 Linkage Form (in triplicate) 131
Annexure B2 Indent for HCTS commodities 132
Annexure B3 RNTCP Form for Referral for Diagnosis 133
C. Reports Annexure C1 SIMS reporting format for HCTS Confirmatory Facility (SA-ICTC) 134
Annexure C2 SIMS reporting format for HCTS Screening Facility (excluding TI) 141
Annexure C3 Laboratory Report at HCTS Screening Facility 143
Annexure C4 Laboratory Report at HCTS Confirmatory Facility (SA-ICTC) 144
Annexure C5 Daily worksheet for laboratory technician at HCTS Confirmatory 145
Facility (SA-ICTC)
Annexure C6 Dashboard indicators at HCTS Screening Facility 146
Annexure C7 Dashboard indicators at HCTS Confirmatory Facility (SA-ICTC) 147
Annexure C8 SIMS reporting format for HCTS Screening Facilities (TI-ICTC) 148
Annexure C9 Quarterly SIMS reporting format for HCTS Confirmatory Facility (SA- 149
ICTC)
Annexure C10 HR and Training Quarterly Format for SACS 152
D. Cards Annexure D1 PLHIV card for General Individuals 153
Annexure D2 PPTCT Beneficiary card 155
Annexure D3 EIC card (for Infants) 159
Annexure D4 Discordant couple card 160
Annexure D5 Follow up HIV testing Card 162
E. Others Annexure E1 MoU for PPP-ICTC Models 163
Annexure E2 D.O. letter issued by AS & MD (NHM) and AS & DG (NACO) regarding 171
Universal Screening of Pregnant Women for HIV & Syphilis
Annexure E3 Rubber stamps Prototype for HCTS Facility 173
Annexure E4 Checklist for HCTS Confirmatory Facility (SA-ICTC) 174
Annexure E5 Integrated 10 Points counselling Tool on TB/Drug Resistant TB 178
Annexure E6 Cover Page & First page of All Registers 179
Annexure E7 Referral Slip from ICTC Counsellor to Lab Technician 180
Annexure E8 Details of official of Basic Services Division at NACO 181
Annexure E9 Details of Basic Services Division In-charge at SACS 181
Annexure E10 Details of PPTCT Consultant at SACS 182

Annexure A1: Counselling register at HCTS Screening Facilities (FICTC/PPP-ICTC)
120
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Sl No. Date of PID No. Name Address Contact Type of In-referral Age Sex Consent taken for Date Screen- Date of Out-
Visit No. Individual (Com- HIV testing of HIV ing Test Post-test referral
pleted (provide Sig- screening report counsel-
years) nature/ Thumb ling
Impression )
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Name of Batch no. Expiry Tested for Result of Suspect- If yes, If Screened reactive If positive Pregnant Women / Direct in Labour Remarks
HIV test date Syphilis Syphilis ed for TB delivered
kit test referred (Please fill this part after getting
to RNTCP Report from SA-ICTC)
Date of HIV Whether Date of Outcome If Live If Live
the HIV Delivery of preg- Birth, Birth,
HIV Con- Status of confir- nancy whether whether
firmation individual mation ARV pro- the baby
report report phylaxis linked to
given to initiated SA-ICTC
Individual to the
National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines

baby
Column No Specification / Code
2,12,14,18,23,26 DD/MM/YYYY
11,19,21,22,25,28,29 (1) Yes, (2) No
7 (1) ANC, (2) DIL, (3) Breast feeding women, (4) General Individuals
8, 15 (1) OBG/GYN, (2) TI NGO, (3) Link Worker, (4) RNTCP/DMC, (5) STI clinic , (6) Other (7) SA-ICTC
10 (1) Male, (2) Female, (3) TG
13, 20 (1) Reactive, (2) Non-reactive
24 (1) Positive, (2) Negative, (3) Indeterminate
27 (1) Live Birth-single (2) Live birth-twins (3) MTP/Abortion , (4) Still birth,
Annexure A2: Counselling register for General Individual at HCTS Confirmatory Facilities
(SA-ICTC)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Whether If Yes in Address
If No in
tested for column If Self-initiated, then
Sl. Date of column (3) House State Contact Aadhaar Type of Referred by
HIV in SA- (3) then Name Village/ source of Information
No. Visit then New No./ District with pin Number Number Individual (In-referral)
ICTC before Previous Block on HIV Testing
PID No. Street code
this visit PID No.
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Type Consent taken for Date of Pre ART Whether HIV
Date Whether Result
of risk Marital HIV testing Test post-test Regis- Test result re-
Age Sex Education Occupation of HIV Out-referral Tested of TB
behav- Status (provide Signature/ Report Counsel- tration ceived within 7
testing for TB test
iour Thumb Impression ) ling Number days of testing
28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35
Spouse / Sexual partner testing
Whether HIV Status HIV status of Pre ART Registra-
Date of HIV PID No. of Spouse / Couple Counselling If discordant then date of next follow up
of Spouse / Sexual Spouse / Sexual tion Number Remarks
testing Sexual partner provided of Spouse/Sexual Partner
partner is known Partner Of spouse
Column No. Specification / Code

2,20,22,29,34 Date (DD/MM/YY)
3,19, 26,28, 33 1-Yes, 2- No
10 (1) Self- Initiated, (2) Provider Initiated
11 (1) TV, (2) News Paper, (3) Radio, (4) Internet, (5) Hoarding, (6) Pamphlet, (7) Bus Panel, (8) Folk Performance, (9) Others (specify)
(1) TI NGO / CBO; (2) Non-TI NGOs; (3) OBG / Maternity Homes; (4) RNTCP; (5) Blood Bank; (6) Government Health facilities; (7) ART Centers; (8)
12, 25 STI Clinics; (9) Care Support Centres; (10) Private Health Facility; (11) F-ICTC (Fixed/Mobile); (12) PPP-ICTC (Fixed/Mobile); (13) TI-ICTC (Fixed/Mo-
bile); (14) Others
(1) Hetero Sexual: 1 a. Commercial Partner ,1 b. Casual / non- commercial, non- regular partner , 1 c. Regular Partner / spouse, (2) Homosexual / Bi-
13
sexual, (3) Through Blood and Blood products, (4) Through infected Syringe and Needles, (5) Parent to Child (for children), (6) Not specified/unknown.
15 (1)Male, (2)Female, (3) TG
16 (1) Non – literate, (2) Primary School, (3) Secondary School, (4) Higher Secondary, (5) College and above
(1) Agriculture Labourer, (2) Non - Agriculture Labourer, (3) Domestic Servant, (4) Housewife, (5)Skilled worker, (6) Semi skilled worker, (7) Petty busi-
ness / Large business / small shop/self -employed, (8) Service (Govt. Pvt.),(9) Student,(10) Truck Driver / helper, (11) Local transport workers
17
( Auto / Taxi Driver, Handcraft Pullers, Rickshaw Pullers etc., (12) Hotel staff, (13) Agricultural cultivator/ landholder,(14) Unemployed or retired, (15)
Others
18 (1) Married, (2) Single, (3) Divorced/Separated, (4) Widowed, (5) Live in relationship
21, 27, 31 (1) Positive, (2) Negative , (3)Not Tested (4)Indeterminate

Note:
1. In case an individual has been tested for HIV in SA-ICTC before the current visit but the previously generated PID number is unavailable, please write ‘Yes’ in Column 3 and ‘Missing
121
PID’ in Column 4 and provide a new PID to the individual mentioning it in column 5. All efforts must be made to retrieve the old PID of the individual to avoid this duplication.
2. Please provide Aadhaar card number in column 9, if available. Else keep the column blank.
3. Column no. 11: In-referral from FICTC (11) & PPP-ICTC (12) will be reported only if an individual who is screened reactive at FICTC or PPP-ICTC has been referred to SA_ICTC for
confirmation of HIV diagnosis and the PID issued by the FICTC should be used at SAICTC
Annexure A3: Counselling register for Pregnant Women at HCTS Confirmatory Facilities
122
(SA-ICTC)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Whether tested Address

Date If Yes to column If No to col- Contact Age
Sl for HIV before Aadhaar MCTS Referred by
of (3) then Previous umn (3) then Name House State Num (Completed
No. in SA-ICTC Village/ Number Number (In-referral)
Visit PID No. New PID No. No/ District with pin ber Years)
this visit? Block
Street code
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Consent taken for Whether a
Month of Whether Type of
HIV testing Date of Date of Pre ART New case
Marital pregnancy Opted for Individual
Education Occupation Gravida (provide Sig- HIV Test report Post-test regn. or known
Status (Completed MTP/Abor- ANC/DIL/
nature/ Thumb testing counselling number positive
Month) tion BF
Impression ) case
26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38
Whether Spouse / Sexual Partner
HIV Test Whether
result Whether Result of Whether Result of If discordant
HIV Status PID No. HIV status

received Out-referral tested for Syphilis Tested for TB Test Couple then date of Remarks
of Spouse / Date of HIV of Spouse of Spouse
within 7 Syphilis test TB Counselling next follow up of
Sexual testing / Sexual / Sexual
days of provided Spouse/Sexual
partner is partner Partner
testing Partner
known
Column No. Specification / Code

2,20, 22,33,37 Date (DD/MM/YY)
3,18,26,28,30, 32, 36 (1) Yes, (2) No
(1) TI NGO / CBO; (2) Non-TI NGOs; (3) OBG / Maternity Homes; (4) RNTCP; (5) Blood Bank; (6) Government Health facilities; (7) ART Centers; (8)
11, 27 STI Clinics; (9) Care Support Centres; (10) Private Health Facility; (11) F-ICTC (Fixed/Mobile); (12) PPP-ICTC (Fixed/Mobile); (13) TI-ICTC (Fixed/
Mobile); (14) Others (14) Others
13 (1) Non – literate, (2) Primary School, (3) Secondary School, (4) Higher Secondary, (5) College and above
(1) Agriculture Labourer, (2) Non - Agriculture Labourer, (3) Domestic Servant, (4) Housewife, (5)Skilled worker, (6) Semi skilled worker, (7) Petty busi-
14 ness / Large business / small shop/self -employed, (8) Service (Govt. Pvt.) ,(9) Student, (10) Truck Driver / helper, (11) Local transport workers (Auto/
Taxi Driver, Handcraft Pullers, Rickshaw Pullers etc., (12) Hotel staff, (13) Agricultural cultivator/ landholder,(14) Unemployed or retired, (15) Others
15 (1) Married, (2) Single, (3) Divorced/Separated, (4) Widowed, (5) Live in relationship
17 State the number of pregnancy. e.g: Primi-1, second pregnancy -2, third pregnancy-3 etc
24 (1) New Case; (2) Known Positive case
25 (1)ANC, (2) DIL,(3) Breast feeding
21, 31, 35 (1) Positive, (2) Negative, (3) Not tested, (4) Indeterminate
29 (1) Reactive ; 2) Non-reactive; 3) Not tested
Note:
1. In case an individual has been tested for HIV in SA-ICTC before the current visit but the previously generated PID number is unavailable, please write ‘Yes’ in Column 3 and ‘Missing PID’ in Column 4 and provide a new PID to the
individual mentioning it in column 5.(All efforts must be made to retrieve the old PID of the individual to avoid this duplication)
2. Please provide Aadhaar card number in column 9, if available. Else keep the column blank.
3. Col. No. 10, Please note down the MCTS number reported on MCP card (Mother and Child Protection Card)
4. Column no. 11: In-referral from FICTC (11) & PPP-ICTC (12) will be reported only if an individual who is screened reactive at FICTC or PPP-ICTC has been referred to SA_ICTC for confirmation of HIV diagnosis and the PID issued
by the FICTC should be used at SAICTC
Annexure A4: Laboratory Register at HCTS Confirmatory Facilities (SA-ICTC)
Type Quality Confirmation
HIV Test Result*
Name of Final Test Result of HIV Control result received
Lab. (R /NR)
Sl. PID Referring 1-Positive infection No. from Lab.
Date Sample HIV-1 / Control Signature
No. No. HCTS 2-Negative Sent to (EQAS result)
No. Test 1 Test 2 Test3 HIV-2 /
facility 3-Indeterminant SRL/ 1-Concordant
Kit Name....... Kit Name........ Kit Name..... HIV-1&2 2-Discordant
NRL
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N
R NR R NR R NR
*Please encircle 'R' if test is reactive, and 'NR' if test is non-reactive in the column.
Annexure A5: Stock register at HCTS Screening Facilities

No. of test kits No. of Expired Wastage /
DD/MM/YY Name of Expiry Date No. of test
Batch No. Opening Stock Received in test kits (re- Damage Control Closing Stock
(Daily) Kit (DD/MM/YY) kits utilized
this month turn) (if any)
A B C D E F G H I J K= (E+ F- G- H- I-J)
Note for Annexure A5:
1. All HCTS facilities which already have a stock register for stock of kits other than HIV should maintain HIV stock details in the same register.
2. This A5 format is only for facilities (such as PPP-ICTC) which may not have their own existing stock register.
3. SACS will not print this register.
Annexure A6: Stock register at HCTS Confirmatory Facilities (SA-ICTC)

Name of the item/particular: ………………………………..
No. of item Received in No. of

Consumption Wastage /
DD/MM/YY Expiry Date Opening this month (from SACS/ Relocated Expired
Batch No. (including Damage Closing Stock Signature
(Daily) (DD/MM/YY) Stock DAPCU/NHM/ HCTS/any (Out) test
Control used) (if any)
other kits
A B C D E F G H I J = (D+E–F–G–H–I) L

123
Annexure A7: Temperature log book at HCTS Facilities
Daily Temperature Log Sheet
(HIV Counselling & Testing Services Facility)
Name of HCTS Facility (SA-ICTC/F-ICTC/PPP/TI etc): --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name of the Staff: -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Designation: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact No: -----------------
Name of In-charge of HCTS Facility: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Designation:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Contact No:-----------------
Month: Year:
Day AM PM Remarks
Time Temperature (in ºC) Time Temperature (in ºC)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

Annexure A8: HIV-TB Line List at HCTS Confirmatory Facilities (SA-ICTC)
Reporting Month: ________________ Reporting Year:_________________
Name of the SA-ICTC:___________________________________ Name of the District:__________________________________
To be completed by HCTS site counsellor To be completed by the STS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
If diagnosed with TB, specify
Is patient Whether
whether patient is
Complete Date of Name of diagnosed put on Date of
S. PID (i) Sputum ‘+’ve TB,
Name & Age Sex referral to facility with TB/ treatment Starting TB No. Remarks
No No. (ii) Sputum ‘-‘ve TB
Address RNTCP referred to DRTB (Yes/ (Anti TB/ Treatment
(iii) Extra-pulmonary TB
No) DRTB)
(iv) DR-TB
Annexure A9: HIV-TB Register at HCTS Confirmatory Facilities (SA-ICTC)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
HIV Status Result of Investigations Whether Referral from RNTCP for HIV testing
Sus- Date of referral
1-Positive put on
Sl. PID pected to to RNTCP Sputum Sputum Extra Drug Resis- TB Date of
2-Negetive DRTB/Rif treatment Registered Tested
No No. have TB/ for TB/DRTB positive Negative pulmo- tant TB/Rif Sus- Testing
3- Indeter- Resistant (Anti TB/ TB Patient Positive
MDRTB diagnosis TB TB nary TB R patient pects for HIV
minate DRTB)
(Y / N) (DD/MM/YY) (Y / N) (Y / N) (Y / N) (Y / N) (Y / N) (Y / N) (Y / N) (Y / N) (Y / N) (Y / N)
Note: In-referral up to col. No. 10

125
Annexure A10: ICTC HIV exposed Infant/Child register
126
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
S.no Name ICTC Unique infant code Sex Date of Birth Moth- PID # of Type of ARV prophy- Date of Cotrimoxazole Details of
of PID# of [15 digit code] (If HIV- 1- Male (MM/DD/ er’s Mother Delivery laxis of the Prophylaxis Treatment Counseling
Infant* Infant 1 PCR Test recom- 2-Female YYYY) name 1-Normal baby admin- Initiation (CPT) (MM/DD/
mended) 3-TG 2-Caesarean istered YYYY)
Visit 1 Visit 2 Visit 3

Date of Age of Infant Type of Result Date of Age of Infant Type of test Result Date of Age of Infant Type of Result
visit (DD/ Infant (in feeding test of Test visit (DD/ Infant (in feeding 1-DBS of Test visit (DD/ Infant (in feeding test of Test
MM/YY) Com- Practices 1-DBS 1-De- MM/YY) Com- Practices 2- Antibody 1-Detected MM/YY) Com- Practices 1-DBS 1-De-
pleted 2- Anti- tected pleted 2-Not pleted 2- Anti- tected
Months) body 2-Not Months) Detected Months) body 2-Not
Detected Detected
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35
If found Positive Result of confirma- If discordant, Result Date of 18 month Confirmatory Anti- Pre ART Number ART Regimen Initi- Death of the baby
with first DBS, Date tory DBS test of Second Confirma- testing (DD/MM/YY) body Test result at ated to the baby 1-Yes,

of Collection of Con- 1- Detected tory DBS 18 months 2- No
firmatory DBS 2- Not Detected 1- Detected 1- Positive
2- Not Detected 2 -Negative
Column No. Specification code

10 ARV prophylaxis of the baby administered: A) No prophylaxis; B) 6 weeks NVP syrup; C) 12 weeks NVP syrup; D) 6 weeks AZT syrup; E) 12 weeks AZT syrup ; F) 6
week LPV syrup; G) 12 week LPV syrup
12 Details of counselling provided: Mark all of the counselling topics covered at today’s visit. A) Infant feeding; B) Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis; C) Immunization; D) Nutri-
tion; E) Psychosocial support; F) HIV testing: G) Seeking medical care: H) Family planning: I) Condom use demonstration; J) Other (specify)
15, 20, 25 Infant feeding practice in past 6 weeks: A) Exclusive replacement feeding; B) Exclusive breastfeeding; C) Mixed feeding.
(Important note: If either B or C is true AND infant has a NEGATIVE HIV test result (Rapid Tests, screening DBS or confirmatory DBS), then repeat same test six weeks
after infant’s last breast milk feeding, or if child develops symptoms of HIV infection. Continue cotrimoxazole until infant is definitively negative. Discourage early wean-
ing; only stop breastfeeding if exclusive replacement feeding is AFASS.)
34 ART Regimen Initiated to the baby: 1) ZLL; 2) ZLN; 3)Others (specify)
Rapid test result: Only performed for initially screening infants 6 – 18 months age and report should be delivered at the earliest (maximum on the same day)
* Please note that the details of the infant and mother (Name, PID etc.) should be same on the white card, register, line list, PPTCT software and any other document
** EIC 3 report to be sent to [email protected] before the 10th of every month
*** Kindly update the infant details on the PPTCT software daily
**** Please note that for all the babies who are being tested at age greater than 6 months, if antibody test is positive (i.e. Antibody reactive on one/two/all three tests),
then enter result of HIV-1 PCR test report only. If the antibody test is negative (i.e. Non-reactive on all 3 tests), then enter antibody test result.
Annexure A11: HIV Positive Pregnant Women Delivery Register at HCTS Confirmatory facility
(SA-ICTC)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Name of
If Yes in
Address Place of ICTC where Whether
Date of HIV column Date of ART regi-
(With State Contact Place of HCTS con- registered Registered
Sl No. PID No. Name Confirma- 10, write ART initia- men initiate
& District Number delivery firmatory (With State at ART
tion Pre ART tion to mother
name) facility & District center
number
name)
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Details of outcome of pregnancy Duration of
Details of Duration of
Preferred Exposed to Sd. Type mothers ART,
Prophylaxis Prophylaxis Remarks
Outcome of Type of feeding Gravida NVP in previous of HIV during
Date of Delivery initiated initiated to
Pregnancy Delivery Practice pregnancy Infection pregnancy
to baby baby
(in weeks)

6 (1) Same Facility; (2) Other Govt. health facility (which is not an F-ICTC) (3) Pvt. Health Facility (which is not an F-ICTC) (4) Home delivery
7 (1) Tested at the Same Facility, (2) Tested at other Facility
8 If tested in other facility mention the name of facility
9,12, 14 DD/MM/YYYY
10, 19 (1) Yes, (2) No
13 (1) TLE, (2) TLL, (3) ZLN , (4) TLN, (5)ZLE (6) any other (Specify)
15 (1) Live birth (2) Still birth, (3)MTP/Aborted
16 (1) Normal, (2) Caesarean
17 (1) Exclusive Breast Feeding (EBF), (2) Exclusive Replacement Feeding (ERF)
20 (1) HIV-1, (2) HIV-2, (3) HIV 1 & 2
22 (1) NevirapineSyp (2) Zidovudinesyp (3) Lopinavir/r syp,
23 (1) 6-weeks; (2) 12-weeks

127
Annexure A12: Counselling Register at HCTS Screening Facilities (TI-ICTC)
128
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Consent taken
Referred Age for Date Screen- Date of Out-
Type of
Date of Address Contact by (Com- HIV testing of HIV ing Test Post-test referral
Sl No. PID No. Name Indi- Sex
Visit No. (In-refer- pleted (provide Sig- screen- report counsel- to
vidual
ral) years) nature/ Thumb ing ling
Impression )
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
If Screened reactive
(Please fill this part after getting Report
If Suspected from SA-ICTC)
Whether
Name of HIV Tested by Place of Result of for TB , Remarks
Batch no. Expiry date Tested for Date of Whether
test kit whom testing Syphilis test referred to HIV
Syphilis HIV Con- the report
RNTCP Status of
firmation given to
individual
report Individual

2,12,14, 18, 24 DD/MM/YYYY
11,21,23, 26 (1) Yes, (2) No
7 (1) FSW (2) MSM (3) IDU; (4) TS/TG ; (5) Truckers (6) Migrants (7) Sexual Partner/Spouse of HRG individual (8) Other
8, 15 (1) OBG/GYN, (2) TI NGO, (3) Link Worker, (4) RNTCP/DMC, (5) STI clinic , (6) Other (7) SA-ICTC
10 (1) Male, (2) Female, (3) TG/TS
13, 22 (1) Reactive, (2) Non-reactive
(1) ORW; (2) Peer Educator; (3) Counsellor; (4) ANM; (5) Doctor/any other health care provider
19 (Testing to be conducted through trained health care provider mentioned above)

20 (1) TI- Facility; (2) Community;
Annexure A13: Out Reach Activity Register for HCTS Confirmatory Facilities (SA-ICTC)
Date of Visit Place visited Purpose of Visit Outcome of visit Signature of In-charge
Financial Year Number of Screening facilities linked to this Stand Alone ICTC
Government FICTC Public Private Partnership PSU TI ICTC Others
Number of HIV Public

Mobile Corporate Private Private Medi- Nursing Public Sector
Month Screening facili- PHC DMC DSRC Sector TI ICTC Others
FICTC Hospital Hospital cal College Homes Industries
ties Linked Units
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
(Above table to be printed on the first page of the register)

129
Annexure A14: Visitor’s Register
130
Name of Visiting official Signature of
Signature of
Date of Visit (With Designation & Contact Organization Issues /Observation Action points/ Recommendation Visiting
In-charge
no.) official

Annexure B1: Linkage form (in triplicate)
National AIDS Control Organization National AIDS Control Organization National AIDS Control Organization
Linkage Form (in triplicate) for HCTS facilities Linkage Form (in triplicate) for HCTS facilities Linkage Form (in triplicate) for HCTS facilities
Copy-1 Copy-2 Copy-3
(to be retained at the facility referring the individual) (to be carried by the Individual to the referred facility & to (to be retained by the individual)
be retained at referred facility)
Referred by: SA-ICTC/FICTC/PPP-ICTC/TI/STI/Others____ Referred by: SA-ICTC/FICTC/PPP-ICTC/TI/STI/Others__ Referred by: SA-ICTC/F-ICTC/PPP-ICTC/TI/STI/Others_
Referred to: ART/SA-ICTC/RNTCP/TI/STI/Others____ Referred to: ART/ SA-ICTC / RNTCP / TI /STI/ Others__ Referred to: ART/ SA-ICTC / RNTCP / TI /STI/ Others___
Referred by: Name & Address of facility Referred by: Name & Address of facility _________________ Referred by: Name & Address of facility _________________
_________________________________________ _____________________ _____________________
_________________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________
To be filled by the facility referring the individual To be filled by the facility referring the individual To be filled by the facility referring the individual
Details of the individual being referred: Details of the individual being referred: Details of the individual being referred:
PID Number: __________________________________ PID Number: __________________________________ PID Number: ___________________________________
Name: _______________________________________ Name: ________________________________________ Name: ________________________________________
Age: ___ Sex: ___Contact No.: ___________________ Age: ___ Sex: ___ Contact No.: ___________________ Age: ___ Sex: ___Contact No: _____________________
Category (Tick mark): Category (Tick mark): Category (Tick mark):
ANC/DIL/PNC/General/Exposed infant/HRG ANC/DIL/PNC/General/Exposed infant/HRG ANC/DIL/PNC/General/Exposed infant/HRG
Purpose of referral: ________________________ Purpose of referral: ______________________ ___ Purpose of referral: _______________________ _______
Date of referral: ___________________________ Date of referral: ____________________________ Date of referral: __________________________ _______
Name and address of the facility referred to: Name and address of the facility referred to: Name and address of the facility referred to:
__________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ___________________________________________
_______________________________________ __ _______________________________________ _____ ______________________________________ _____
Details of the staff referring the individual: Details of the staff referring the individual: Details of the staff referring the individual:
Name :__________________________________ Name :_______________________________ Name :_______________________________
Designation:______________________________ Designation:___________________________ Designation:___________________________
Contact No.:______________________________ Contact No.:___________________________ Contact No.:___________________________
Signature: ________________________________ Signature: ________________________ Signature: ____________________________
To be filled by the facility referring the individual after
To be filled by the referred center staff
feedback from referred center
Has the individual reached : Yes No Has the individual reached : Yes No
 If individual was referred to SA-ICTC, has the  If individual was referred to SA-ICTC, has the
individual been tested for HIV? Yes/No individual been tested for HIV? Yes/No
 If individual was referred to ART center, has the  If individual referred to ART center, has the indi-
individual been registered there? Yes/No vidual been registered there? Yes/No
Remarks: ______________________________ Remarks: ______________________________

Name of staff documenting this information: _____________ Name of staff documenting this information:
____________________________ ___________________________________________
131
Annexure B2: Indent form for HCTS commodities

HIV Counselling & Testing Service (HCTS) Facility
INDENT FORM FOR SA-ICTC/F-ICTC/PPP-ICTC/TI-ICTC
(to be filled by the staff of HCTS facility)
Address: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------`
Name of the Staff:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Designation:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Contact No:-----------------
Email id:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name of In-charge HCTS facility: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Designation:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact No:-----------------
The following items are required :
Status of last supply

S. Monthly Average Balance Quantity Quantity
Details of the item
No. consumption available requested supplied
Date Quantity
issued
1
2
3
Signature of the Staff Signature of the Staff

(Receiving the consignment) (Supplying the consignment)
Name: Name:
Designation: Designation:
Date: / / Date: / /
Signature of the BSD In-charge
Name:
Designation:
Contact No.:
Date: / /

Annexure B3: RNTCP Form for Referral for Diagnosis

Annexure C1: SIMS reporting format for HCTS Confirmatory Facilities(SA-ICTC)
134
Unique Code ICTC name
Monthly Input Formats for Integrated Counseling and Testing Centers (ICTC) [All individuals excluding pregnant women]
Section B: Progress Made During the Month by the ICTC [All individuals excluding pregnant women]
i. Details of Individuals visit to ICTC and HIV tests undertaken (excluding pregnant women)
sl. no Indicators Male Female TS/TG Total
1 Number of individuals received pre-test counseling/information 0
Number of individuals tested for HIV
2 0 0 0 0
(Row is Blocked - Auto Generated from iii.a Age-wise distribution)
3 Number of individuals received result within 7 days of HIV Test 0
4 Number of individuals receiving post-test counseling and given results 0
Number of individuals diagnosed HIV positive (after three tests)
5 0 0 0 0
(Row is Blocked - Auto Generated from iii.a Age-wise distribution)
5.1 (Out of sl no. 5) Number of HIV positive individuals having HIV-II infection 0
5.2 (Out of sl no. 5) Number of HIV positive individuals having both HIV-I & II infections 0
(Out of sl no. 5) Number of HIV positive individuals having HIV-I infection
5.3 0 0 0 0
(Row is Blocked - Auto Generated based cells (sl.no 5 -(sl.no.5.1 +5.2))
6 Number of HIV +ve individuals registered to ART center, during this month 0
7 (Out of sl. No. 5) Number of HIV positive individuals registered in PALS (only HIV +veGen.Individual) 0
8 Number of individuals with High Risk Behavior received follow-up counseling 0
9 Number of Self- initiated Individuals tested for HIV 0

9.1 (out of sl. No. 9) Number of ‘Self- initiated’ individuals diagnosed HIV positive 0
Number of provider initiated Individuals tested for HIV
10 0 0 0 0
(Row is blocked: Auto-generated cells [sl.no 2 - sl.no.9])
(out of sl. No. 10) Number of provider initiated individuals diagnosed HIV positive
10.1 0 0 0 0
Row is blocked: Auto-generated cells [sl.no.5 - sl.no.9.1])
11 No. of HIV positive death occurred during this month (Gen. Individuals) 0
ii. F-ICTC referral & HIV Confirmation
Indicators Male Female TS/TG Total
Number of Screened HIV reactive general individuals referred by the F- ICTC tested for Confirmation of HIV diagnosis at
12 0
SA-ICTC
12.1 Out of Screened HIV reactive general individuals referred by the F- ICTC above, number Confirmed HIV positive 0
12.1 Out of Screened HIV reactive general individuals referred by the F- ICTC above, number Confirmed HIV negative 0
iii. Spouse/Sexual partner HIV testing details
Indicators Male Female TS/TG Total
13 Number of Sexual partners /Spouse of HIV positive individuals tested 0
13.1 (Out of sl.no.13 above) Number of Sexual partners /spouse diagnosed HIV positive (after 3 specified Tests) 0
14 Number of Sexual partners /Spouse of HIV negative individuals tested 0
14.1 Out of sl. No.14 above) Number of Sexual partners /spouse diagnosed HIV positive (after 3 specified Tests) 0
Number of Sexual partners /Spouse of HIV positive individuals who already know their HIV status and did not require
15 0
HIV testing
Number of Sexual partners /Spouse of HIV Negative individuals who already know their HIV status and did not require
16
HIV testing
vi. Composition of individuals undergoing HIV test/diagnosed positive and route of transmission
iv.a. Age-wise distribution
Age categories ( in completed months/years) Total Number of individual diagnosed HIV

Total Number of individual tested for HIV
Sl.No. positive
Male Female TS/TG Total Male Female TS/TG Total
1 18 mts -5yrs 0 0
2 6-9 0 0
3 10 - 14 0 0
4 15 - 19 0 0
5 20 - 24 0 0
6 25 - 49 0 0
7 >50 0 0
8 Not specified/unknown 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
iv.b. Route of transmission reported by HIV positive cases
Sl.No. Route of transmission reported by HIV positive cases Male Female TS/TG Total
1 Heterosexual 0 0 0 0
1.1 Commercial Partner 0
1.2 Casual/non-commercial, non-regular partner 0
1.3 Regular partner/spouse 0
2 Homosexual 0
3 Through blood and blood products 0
4 Through infected syringe and needles 0
5 Parent to child (for children) 0
6 Not specified/unknown 0
Total 0 0 0 0

135
Unique Code ICTC Name
136
Monthly Input Formats for Integrated Counseling and Testing Centers (ICTC)
Section C: Laboratory Information, Kits & Consumables and Outreach (All individuals including Pregnant women)
i. Laboratory Information for ICTC
Description Units
1 Total number of blood specimens tested during this month
2 Total number of blood specimens found reactive during this month
2.1 Total number of blood specimens detected HIV- II during this month (Out of sl. No. 2 above)
2.2 Total number of blood specimens detected both HIV-I & II during this month (Out of sl. No. 2 above)
Total number of blood specimens detected HIV-I during this month (Out of sl. No. 2 above)
2.3 0
Row is Blocked Auto Generated cells (Sl.no 2-(Sl.no2.1+sl.no.2.2)
3 Number of blood specimens found indeterminate (after 3 HIV tests)
ii. Stock of HIV Test Kits and other Consumables (Section is Blocked for data entry, please enter data ONLINE)
Consumables Name * Expiry Opening Received Relocated Relocated Consump- Controls Wastage/ Closing Stock Average Stock suf-
of Kit date Stock (In) (Out) tion Damage/ (Auto Generated Cells) Monthly ficient for
Expired Consump- how many
tion months
(Auto Gener-

ated Cells)
HIV test kit 1 (No. of

4 0
tests)

5 0
tests)

6 0
tests)
Whole Blood Finger Prick

7 0
Test (No. of tests) POC
Syphilis test kit(RPR/

8 0
VDRL)
9 DBS Card 0
10 Nevirapine Syrup 0
11 Zidovudine syp 0
12 LopinavirSyp 0
13 TLE 0
14 Safe Delivery kit 0
15 Condom 0
ICTC Code Name of ICTC
Section D: Progress during the month (only for Pregnant & Breast feeding Women )
i. Pregnancy Registration & HIV testing details
S. No Indicators During ANC Directly in Breast Total
(Please read Data Definition carefully before entering data in the respective fields) labor feeding
During this During this During this
month month month
1 Number of New ANC Registrations as per ANC OPD register 0
2 Number of pregnant/breast feeding women provided pre-test counseling 0
3 Number of pregnant/ breast feeding women tested for HIV 0
4.(a) Among those diagnosed HIV +ve, during first trimester
4.(b) Among those diagnosed HIV +ve, dur-
Total number of pregnant/breast women ing second trimester
4 diagnosed HIV +ve 4.(c) Among those diagnosed HIV +ve, during 0
(including Sr. No 1.1) third trimester
4.(d). Among those diagnosed HIV +ve, dur-
ing Post natal period
Already Known HIV +ve women (detected earlier from Same ICTC / Other ICTC) who is currently pregnant/Breast feeding & registered
4.1 0
for ANC services in this Centre, during this month
Indicators Number
4.2 Number of HIV positive Pregnant & breast feeding women registered in PALS Software
5 Number of pregnant/breast feeding women received HIV test results within 7 days of test
6 Number of pregnant/breast feeding women received post-test counseling and given test results
7 Number of HIV +ve Pregnant/breast feeding women registered at ART center during this month
8 Number of HIV +ve pregnant/breast feeding women initiated on lifelong ART during this month
9 Number of HIV +ve pregnant/breast feeding women having HIV-II infection
10 Number of HIV +ve pregnant/breast feeding women having both HIV-I & II infection
ii. F-ICTC referral & HIV Confirmation
Number of Screened HIV reactive pregnant women referred by the F- ICTC tested for Confirmation of HIV diagnosis at
11
SA-ICTC
11.1 Out of Screened HIV reactive pregnant women referred by the F- ICTC above, number Confirmed HIV positive
11.2 Out of Screened HIV reactive pregnant women referred by the F- ICTC above, number Confirmed HIV negative
iii. Pregnant/breast feeding women Tested for Syphilis by SA-ICTC Lab technician
12 Number of HIV positive Pregnant/breast feeding women tested for syphilis
12.1 (Out of above ) Number Diagnosed with syphilis
13 Number of HIV negative Pregnant/breast feeding women tested for syphilis

13.1 (Out of above ) Number Diagnosed with syphilis
137
iv. Spouse/Sexual partner Testing details
138
14 Number of spouses/ partners of HIV positive pregnant women tested
14.1 Number of spouses/partners of HIV positive pregnant women found HIV positive
15 Number of spouses/ partners of HIV negative pregnant women tested
15.1 Number of spouses/partners of HIV negative pregnant women found HIV positive
Number of Sexual partners /Spouse of HIV positive individuals who already know their HIV status and did not require
16
HIV testing
Number of Sexual partners /Spouse of HIV Negative individuals who already know their HIV status and did not require
17
HIV testing
v. Age-wise distribution
Age wise Distribution (incl. DIL and PNC) 15-19 years 20-24 years 25-34 years >35 Years Total
18 Number of pregnant women tested for HIV 0
18.1 Number of pregnant women detected HIV +ve 0
vi. Gravida wise distribution
Description Primi Gravida Multi- gravida Total
19 Number of pregnant women tested for HIV 0
19.1 Number of pregnant women detected HIV +ve 0
vii. Delivery & ARV prophylaxis details
20 Number of HIV positive pregnant women expected to deliver during this month 0
21 Number of HIV positive pregnant women who underwent MTP/Abortion during the month 0

In same Other health facility not having Home delivery Total deliveries Out of HIV +ve deliv-
Location→ Facility HCTS, Govt./Pvt. eries, number of moth-
/Outcome ↓ ers initiated/already
initiated on ART
20.(a) Live birth 0
Total Number of HIV +ve deliveries dur- 20.(b) Still Birth 0
22
ing this month:
Total 0 0 0 0
23 Number of babies initiated on ARV prophylaxis, during this month (Out of live Birth) 0
(MB Pairs)-Number of mothers initiated on lifelong ART and babies initiated on ARV prophylaxis
24 0
(Row is blocked-Auto generated cells)
Only Mother initiated on lifelong ART (out of total deliveries) but baby not given ARV prophylaxis, during this month
25 0
Only baby initiated on ARV prophylaxis but mother not initiated on ART, during this month
26 0
27 Number of babies initiated on 6 weeks ARV prophylaxis, during this month(Out of live Birth)
Number of babies initiated on 12 weeks ARV prophylaxis, during this month (Out of live Birth)
28 0
29 Number of babies initiated on breast feeding (out of Live births)
Number of babies initiated on replacement feeding (out of Live births)
30 0
31 Number of HIV exposed babies who died before 6 weeks EID testing, during this month
(viii). EID Follow up & 18 month testing details of HIV exposed children
First Visit Follow-up visit
A. EID follow up details 6 weeks-6 6 months 6 months -18 months
months -18 months
1 Number of
children visited the center during this month
2 Number of
children initiated on CPT during this month
3 Number of
children tested for HIV under EID programme (using HIV-1 PCR/ Antibody)
4 Number of
children found Antibody Positive
5 Number of
children tested for HIV using HIV-1 PCR
6 Number of
children who found positive by HIV-1 PCR
6.1 Number of
children who found negative by HIV-1 PCR
6.2 Number of
children who confirmed positive by confirmatory HIV-1 PCR
6.3 Number of
children who found negative (discordant) by confirmatory HIV-1 PCR
6.3(a) Number of
children who are found negative by second confirmatory HIV-1 PCR
6.3(b) Number of
children who confirmed positive by second confirmatory HIV-1 PCR
7 Number of
HIV +ve children registered at ART center
8 Number of
children, greater than 6 weeks of age, died during this month
B. 18 months testing Number of child
9 Number of HIV exposed children beyond 18 months of age, who came for follow up testing
10 Number of HIV exposed children beyond 18 months of age, tested for HIV antibody test
11 Number of HIV exposed children beyond 18 months of age, detected HIV +ve
`12 Number of HIV exposed children beyond 18 months of age, registered at ART Centre
13 Number of HIV exposed children beyond 18 months of age, who died beyond the age of 18 month

139
ICTC Code ICTC Name
140
Section E : HIV-TB Cross referrals (All individuals including Pregnant Women )

Indicators General individual Pregnant Women
1 Number of individuals received pre-test counseling/information HIV Negative HIV Positive HIV Positive HIV Negative
Out Referral to RNTCP Male Female TG Male Female TG
2 Number of persons suspected to have TB referred to RNTCP Unit
3 Number of individuals reached to RNTCP DMC out of (2)
4 Of the referred TB suspects, Number diagnosed as having:
4.1 (i) Sputum Positive TB
4.2 (ii) Sputum Negative TB
4.3 (iii) Extra-Pulmonary TB
4.4 (iv) Drug Resistant TB/Rif-Resistance
5 (Out of Sl.no. 4 above ) Number receiving Anti- TB/DRTB treatment.
In Referral from RNTCP
6 Number of TB suspects cases referred in for HIV Testing (Presumptive TB Cases)
7 Number of TB patients referred in for HIV Testing (TB diagnosed cases)
8 Number of Drug Resistant TB patients referred in for HIV Testing (Rif. Resistant/MDR TB cases)

Annexure C2: SIMS reporting format for HCTS Screening Facilities (F-ICTC and PPP-ICTC)
Unique F-ICTC Code F-ICTC name
MONTHLY REPORTING FORMAT: F-ICTC / PPP-ICTC

SECTION A. IDENTIFICATION
1. Name of Centre: Type of F-ICTC:
Linked SA-ICTC name : Linked SA-ICTC Code:
2. Address: Pin Code:

Block/ Mandal/ Taluka: District: State:
3. Reporting Period: From:_ _/_ _/_ _ _ _ To:_ _/_ _/_ _ _ Month: Year:
4. Name of Officer In-charge (F-ICTC):
5. Contact number: Phone: Mobile
6. Email Address:
7. F-ICTC Location:
1. PROGRESS MADE DURING THE MONTH
Sl. no Basic Indicators Pregnant Women General Individual
ANC DIL Breast Total Male Female TG Total

feeding
1 Total new ANC individuals registered during the month 0

2 Number of individuals provided pre-test Information 0 0
3 Number of Individuals screened for HIV by WBFP test 0 0
4 Number of Individuals provided post-test counseling 0 0
5 Number of Individuals found HIV reactive after 1st Test, during this month 0 0
5.1 (out of sl. No. 5)Number confirmed HIV positive at SA-ICTC, during this month 0 0
5.2 (out of Sl.No. 5) Number Confirmed HIV negative at SA-ICTC, during this month 0 0
6 Number of Individuals tested for Syphilis (using POC/RPR Test) 0 0
6.1 (out of sl no. 6 )Number of Individuals found reactive for Syphilis 0 0
6.2 (out of sl no. 6.1)number treated for syphilis in the same facility/ referred facility 0 0
7 Number of TB suspect individulas refered to RNTCP (out of sl no. 2) 0 0

141
2. LINKAGE & REFERRAL
142
Sl.No Department/ Organisation In Referral Out Referral of Screened reactive individuals to Stand Alone ICTCs for confirmation
Tested Screened reactive
in 1st test
1 OBG / GYN (ANC Clinic)
2 Targeted Intervention NGOs
3 Link Worker
4 RNTCP
5 STI Clinic
6 Others
3. Delivery & ARV prophylaxis details (only for HIV positive Pregnant women deliverd in this institution) fill where applicable
Delivery outcome (This month)

Indicator Description (only for DIL)
Live Birth Still Birth Total
1 Number of HIV positive Pregnant women Delivered in this facility, During this month 0
2 Number of HIV exposed babies intiated on ARV prophylaxis 0

(Syp NVP/Syp ZDV/Syp LPV)
3 (Out of Sl.no.1 )no of HIV exposed babies linked to nearest SA ICTC for getting EID services 0

4. STOCK STATUS OF HIV TEST KITS ( Number of Tests)
Sl.no Consumables Name of Kit Expiry Date * Opening Stock Received Consumed Control Wastage / Closing Stock Average Stock suf-
Damage/ Monthly Con- ficient for how
sumption many months
1 WBFP Test Kit 0
2 HIV Rapid Test Kit 0
3 Syphilis Test Kit (POC) 0
4 Syp NVP 0
5 5. Availability of essential STI/RTI drugs (Yes/ No) Yes/NO
Annexure C3: Laboratory Report at HCTS Screening Facilities
NATIONAL AIDS CONTROL ORGANIZATION

HIV Counselling & Testing Service (HCTS) Facility
Name of HCTS Facility:

(SA-ICTC/F-ICTC/PPP-ICTC/TI-ICTC etc.):----------------------------------------------------------
Address: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LABORATORY REPORT FORM FOR HCTS SCREENING FACILITY (CONFIDENTIAL)
PID Number:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name of Individual:--------------------------------------------- Age:------------------------------
Date of HIV screening------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Result of HIV Antibody test:Non-Reactive
Name of HIV Test Kit-------------------------------------------- Batch No:------------------------
Date of follow-up testing (if applicable):------------------------

(Please bring this report during follow-up testing)
Signature of Staff conducting HIV Screening Signature of Medical Officer
Note: (1) This report may be signed by the in-charge Medical Officer of the facility or any
Medical Officer.
(2) To maintain strict confidentiality, the signed HIV test report must be given only to the
individual.

Annexure C4: Laboratory Report at HCTS Confirmatory Facilities
(SA-ICTC)
NATIONAL AIDS CONTROL ORGANIZATION
Laboratory Test Report form for HCTS Confirmatory facility
Name & Address of the SA-ICTC: ____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name: Surname _____________ Middle name __________________First Name_______________________
Gender:  Male  Female  Transgender Age: ___________ (years)

PID No.: __________________________________ Lab ID No.: ________________________________
Date & Time of Blood Drawn: ___________________ (DD/MM/YY) __________________ (HH:MM)
Test Details:
• Specimen type used for testing (tick one): Serum / Plasma / Whole Blood
• Date & Time of specimen tested: _____________(DD/MM/YY) ______________(HH:MM)
Note:
• Column 2 and 3 to be filled only when HIV 1 & 2 antibody discriminatory test(s) used
• No cell has to be left blank; indicate as NA wherever not applicable
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4
Reactive/Nonreactive Reactive/Nonreactive
Reactive/Nonreactive (R/
Name of the HIV kit (R/NR) for HIV-1 (R/NR) for HIV-2
NR) for HIV antibodies
antibodies antibodies
Test I:
Test II:
Test III:
Interpretation of the result: Tick ( ) relevant
-Specimen is negative for HIV antibodies
-Specimen is positive for HIV-1 antibodies
-*Specimen is positive for HIV antibodies (HIV-1 and HIV-2; or HIV-2 alone)
-Specimen is indeterminate for HIV antibodies. Collect fresh sample in 2 weeks
*Confirmation of HIV 2 sero-status at identified referral laboratory through ART centers
Name & Signature Name & Signature

Laboratory technician Laboratory In-charge

Annexure C5: Daily worksheet for laboratory technician
NATIONAL AIDS CONTROL ORGANISATION
Daily Work Sheet for SA-ICTC Lab-Technician
Name of the SACS: Name of HCTS facility:

HIV Test -I (R/NR) HIV Test -II HIV Test -III
1
10
Name of the HIV KIT-I : Name of the HIV KIT-II : Name of the HIV KIT-III :
Lot / Batch No : Lot / Batch No : Lot / Batch No :
Expiry Date : Expiry Date : Expiry Date :
Number of Samples Screened :_______________________ Number of Samples Positive :__________________
Number of Samples Indeterminate :_______________________ Number of Samples Negative :_________________
Remarks :
Date : Signature of Laboratory Technician Signature of Medical Officer
Note: Please write 'R' for reactive & 'NR' for non-reactive the 5 digit PID number in the relevent coloumn. Last 5 digit of PID number need to be filled in the cell.

145
Annexure C6: Dashboard Indicators for HCTS Screening Facility
146
Dashboard Indicators at Screening facilities

(to be displayed at the facility & duly updated for every month)
Name of Facility _________________________________________ Financial Year _______________
Indicator Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Total
ANC individuals :
Total new ANC individuals registered during the month
Number of individuals provided pre-test Information
Number of Individuals screened for HIV by WBFP test
Number of Individuals found HIV reactive after 1st Test

Number of HIV positive Deliveries conducted
General Individuals:
Number of individuals provided pre-test Information
Number of Individuals screened for HIV by WBFP test
Number of Individuals found HIV reactive after 1st Test

Annexure C7: Dashboard indicators for HCTS Confirmatory Facility (SA-ICTC)
Dashboard indicators at Confirmatory facilities
(to be displayed at the facility & duly updated for every month)
Name of HCTS Facility __________________________________ Financial Year ____________
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Total
For all General Individual (excluding pregnant women)
Number of individuals provided pre-test counselling
Number of individuals screened for HIV

Number of individuals confirmed HIV positive
Number of individuals linked to ART centres
For pregnant women
Number of New ANC Registrations as per ANC OPD
register
Number of pregnant/ breast feeding women tested for
HIV
Total number of pregnant/breast women diagnosed
HIV +ve
Number of HIV +ve Pregnant/breast feeding women
registered at ART centre
Number of HIV +ve pregnant/breast feeding women
initiated on lifelong ART
Number of HIV Positive deliveries
Number of live births to HIV positive mother
Number of babies initiated on ARV prophylaxis
Number of children tested for HIV under EID pro-
gramme
Number of children who found positive by HIV-1 PCR
Number of children who confirmed positive by con-
firmatory HIV-1 PCR
Number of HIV +ve children registered at ART centre
Number of infants tested for 18 month HIV antibody
test
Number of infants found HIV positive during 18
month antibody test
Number of HIV+ infants found during 18 month
antibody test registered at the ART center

147
Annexure C8: SIMS reporting format for HCTS Screening Facilities (TI-ICTC)
148
Unique Code: Name of NGO:
S.No. Monthly Reporting Format for Screening of HIV through Targeted Interventions (TI-ICTC) National AIDS Control Organization
1. State: District: (NACO),
2. Contract Period: mm/yy) From: To: Reporting Month:
3. Type of TI : No. of hotspots in the project area:
4. Name of In-charge: Phone No: Mobile
5. Email-ID: Having NGO STI clinic (Y/N):
6. Linked SA-ICTC Code: Linked SA-ICTC name:
1. PROGRESS MADE DURING THE MONTH

Type of Individual HRGs
Indicator /Description FSW MSM IDU TS/TG Truckers Migrants Sexual partner/ Others Total
spouse of HRG
individual
1.Total number of individuals due for screening during the reporting month 0
2. Number of individual provided pre-test counselling during this month 0
3. Number of individual screened for HIV 0
4. Number of individual provided post-test counselling 0
5. Number of individual HRGs reactive after 1st Test, during this month 0

6. (Out of Sr no. 5), Number of HIV reactive individual confirmed HIV positive (after three test) 0
at SA-ICTC, during this month
7. (out of Sr. no. 5), Number of HIV reactive individual confirmed HIV negative at SA-ICTC, 0
during this month
8. Number of Individuals tested for Syphilis (using RPR Test) 0
8.1 (out of sl no. 8 )Number of Individuals found reactive for Syphilis 0
2. Service Provided by whom & where
Testing conducted by 1. ORW 2. Peer Educator 3. Counsellor 4. ANM 5.Doctor /any other Total
Location of testing health care provider
Number of HRG Tested TI-Facility 0

Community
3. STOCK STATUS OF HIV TEST KITS ( Number of Tests)
Type of Kit Name of Kit Expiry Date Opening Stock Received Consumed Control Wastage / Closing Stock Average Stock sufficient for how
dd/mm/yyyy Damage/ Monthly Con- many months
sumption
1. WBFP Test Kit 0
2. HIV Rapid Test Kit 0
3. Other Test Kit 0
Annexure C9: Quarterly SIMS reporting format for HCTS Confirmatory Facilities (SA-ICTC)
ICTC Code: ICTC
Quarterly Input Formats for Integrated Counseling and Testing Centres (ICTC)
i. EQAS Information
Sl. No Indicator Number
1 Number of blood samples detected Positive in the first week of the quarter ( Jan, April, July, October)
1.1 Out of above number of sample sent for Quality control to SRL/NRL
1.1.a Out of (1.1) number reported concordant
1.1.b Out of (1.1) number reported discordant
2 Number of blood samples detected Negative in the first week of the quarter ( Jan, April, July, October)
2.1 Out of the above number of sample sent for Quality control to SRL/NRL
2.1.a Out of (2.1) number reported concordant
2.1.b Out of (2.1) number reported discordant
ii. Social Protection Schemes offered by Government

Social Protection Schemes Number of HIV positives cases availed the social protection
schemes this month
Male Female TS/TG Total
1 Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) 0
2 Swarnajayanti Gram SwarozgarYojna(SGSY) 0
3 Indira AawasYojana(IAY) 0
4 Indira Gandhi National Pension Scheme 0
5 Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme(MGNREGS) 0
6 RashtriyaSwasthyaBimaYojana (RSBY) 0
7 Pradhan Mantri Suraksha BimaYojana 0
8 Pradhan Mantri Jeevan JyotiBimaYojana 0
9 Pradhan Mantri Jan DhanYojana 0
10 Janani SurakhshaYojana 0
11 Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG / Sabla) 0
12 Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) 0

149
13 Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) 0
150
14 Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) 0
15 National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) 0
16 Travel Concession (Railways, State Transport) 0
17 Pension Schemes (Old Age, ART Pension etc.) 0
18 Small loans for micro credit programme 0
19 Any other _____________________________________________
Total 0 0 0 0
iii. Source of information about HIV testing
Sl. No. Source of information about HIV testing Self - Initiated individuals
Male Female TS/TG Total
1 TV 0
2 Radio 0
3 News paper 0
4 internet 0
5 hoardings 0
6 leaflet/palmlets 0

7 buspannel 0
8 folk performance 0
9 Others 0
iv. Details of Occupation for HIV positive individuals

Details of Occupation Total Number of individual under- Total Number of individuals diag-
gone HIV test nosed HIV positive
1 Agricultural Laborer
2 Non-agricultural Laborer
3 Domestic servant
4 Housewife
5 Skilled worker
6 Semi-skilled worker
7 Petty business/Large business/ small shop/ self employed
8 Service (Govt./ Pvt.)
9 Student
10 Truck Driver/helper
11 Local transport workers ( Auto/Taxi Driver, Handcart Puller, Rickshaw Puller etc.)
12 Hotel staff
13 Agricultural cultivator/landholder
14 Unemployed or retired
15 Sex Worker
16 Others
Total 0 0
v. Linkages and referrals

Departments / Agencies In referral - Tested In referral - diagnosed as Registered to ART
HIV Positive
1 TI NGO / CBO
2 Non-TI NGOs
3 OBG / Maternity Homes
4 RNTCP
5 Blood Bank
6 Govt Health Facility
7 ART Centre
8 STI Clinic
9 Care & Support Centre
10 Private Health Facility
11 Others 0 0 0
Total

151
Annexure C10: HR & Training Quarterly Format for SACS
152
Name of the States/UTs Period From DD/MM/YYYY To DD/MM/YYYY
Status on Human Resource & Training
Quarterly - to be filled by SACS
Section A Status on Human Resource
Sub Section i(At Field level) Sub Section ii (At SACS level)
Staff Type Number of Number of Number of Staff Type Number of Number of Num-
positions positions positions positions positions ber of
sanctioned filled vacant sanctioned filled positions
vacant
1 JD BSD 0
1 ICTC Incharge/ MO 0
2 DD ICTC 0
3 DD PPTCT 0
2 ICTC Counselor 0
4 AD ICTC 0
5 AD PPTCT 0
3 ICTC Laboratory Technician 0
6 Regional Coordinator BSD 0
7 PPTCT Consultant 0
4 District ICTC Supervisor 0
8 Divisional Assistant 0

Section B Status on Training
(fill the number of Individual trained during month in each cell)
Training→ Integrated Integrated Integrated Induction Refresher HIV-TB Hands on Team Full Site PPTCT- Others
Induction Refresher I Refresher II Collabora- Sensitiza- Training Sensitization ART Link- Trainings
Staff Type
Training Training Training tive tion and on NACP age System (Specify)
↓ Orientation (PALS)
1 a. ICTC Counselor
1 b. ART Counselor
1 c. STI Counselor
2 ICTC Laboratory Technician
3 ICTC In-charge/MO
4 District ICTC Supervisor
5 Staff Nurse/ ANM
6 Labour Room Nurses
7 RNTCP STS/ STLS/ LT
8 Other Staff (Specify)
Annexure D1: PLHIV card at HCTS Confirmatory Facilities (SA-ICTC)

Annexure D2: PPTCT Beneficiary Card at HCTS Confirmatory Facilities
(SA-ICTC)

Annexure D3: EIC Card for Infants at HCTS Confirmatory Facility (SA-ICTC)

159
Annexure D4: Discordant Partner Card

Annexure D5: Follow up HIV testing Card
Follow Up HIV Testing Card
For Discordant partner and High risk individuals undergoing repeat testing
HCTS Facility Copy
HIV testing details
PID No: Date of HIV Testing - - -/- -/- - - -
Baseline HIV Status:  Negative

If individual tested negative, write follow-up HIV testing details of the individual in this card
Follow up testing details
Date of Follow-up Result of Follow-up HIV test
HIV test
Follow-up HIV test after 3 months --/--/----  Positive  Negative
Follow-up HIV test after 6 months of last test --/--/----  Positive  Negative
If individual tests positive in follow-up HIV text, fill the details in PLHIV card and link the individual to
HCTS Facility Stamp
ART center
Follow Up HIV Testing Card

For Discordant partner and High risk individuals undergoing repeat testing
Individual’s Copy
HIV testing details
PID No: Date of HIV Testing - - -/- -/- - - -
Baseline HIV Status:  Negative

If individual tested negative, write follow-up HIV testing details of the individual in this card
Follow up testing details
Date of Follow-up Result of Follow-up HIV test
HIV test
Follow-up HIV test after 3 months --/--/----  Positive  Negative
If individual tests positive in follow-up HIV text, fill the details in PLHIV card and link the individual to
ART center HCTS Facility Stamp
Kindly return for a repeat HIV test on the dates mentioned in this card

Annexure E1: MOU for PPP-ICTC Models
(I) MOU between PPP-ICTC (Market Led Model) and SACS
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR SERVICE DELIVERY ON INTEGRATED COUNSELLING AND

TESTING CENTRES (ICTCs)
Memorandum of understanding (MOU)between
State AIDS Control Society _______

&
XXYYZZ (Name of Facility and Place)
This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is made on _________day of (month and year) by the Project Director
(name of State AIDS Control Society and Address) AND
XXYYZZ, a facility having its office at ______ acting through _______________, the authorised signatory, hereinafter
referred to as “XXYYZZ”, which expression shall, unless repugnant to the context, include its successor in business,
administrators, liquidators and assigns or legal representatives.
I. PURPOSE OF THE COLLABORATIVE PROJECT

The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is to set up a certified facility integrated counselling
and testing centre for HIV counselling and testing in a private sector/not for profit /non-government organisation
run health facility through a public private partnership. The aim is to provide access to quality HIV counselling
and testing services to individual who access private/not for profit health care system in both urban and rural
areas of the country.
II. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SACS:

1. To provide training of staff of ICTC (staff of facility) in HIV counselling and testing, PPTCT and universal
work precaution in NACO approved centres. If required, more than one training will be provided by the
SACS.
2. To supply IEC material required for an ICTC such as flip charts, posters, condom demonstration models,
take home materials to XXYYZZ as per requirement.
3. To evaluate the performance of the ICTC periodically as per monitoring and evaluation tools developed by
NACO/SACS/DAPCU.
4. To provide Registers and Formats as per “Operational guidelines for Facility Integrated Counselling and
Testing Centre” published by NACO, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India in July, 2007 or
any newer version thereof.
III. RESPONSIBILITIES OF XXYYZZ:

1. Designate a Nurse and the Lab technician to be trained by SACS.
2. Designate a Nodal Officer, who would be responsible for all activities of PPP-ICTC.
3. Ensure timely referral of the HIV reactive individual (General as well as ANC) for confirmatory test using
the referral slips provided by SACS, if individual so desire.
4. To prepare the Line List for those individuals (General as well as ANC) who found reactive & referred to
Stand Alone ICTC.

5. Coordination with ICTC, DAPCU and ART centres about referral of individuals.
6. Report to SACS on the first of every month in naco-sims.gov.in & naco-plhiv.gov.in the number
of individual registered and tested and HIV reactive pregnant mothers identified and referred for
confirmatory test.
IV. ADRESSES FOR CORRESPONDENCE
In witness thereof, the parties herein have appended their respective signatures the day and the year
above stated
Signed For and on behalf of XXYYZZ Signed For and on behalf of
AABBCC Director / Project Director

Medical Superintendent XXYYZZ SACS
Signature………………… Signature ……………..
Date……………………… Date……………………
In the presence of In the presence of

Name and Signature Name and Signature
…………………………………. …………………………
Date ………………………… Date …………………………

(II) MOU between PPP-ICTC (Market Sharing Model) and SACS
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR SERVICE DELIVERY ON INTEGRATED COUNSELING AND


State AIDS Control Society _______ &
This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is made on _______ day of _______ 20___ by the Project
Director,(hereafter referred to as “SACS”), [name of the Project Director, Designation of Project Director, complete
address of SACS]. AND XXYYZZ, a facility having its office at ______ acting through _______________, the
authorised signatory, hereinafter referred to as “XXYYZZ”, which expression shall, unless repugnant to the context,
include its successor in business, administrators, liquidators and assigns or legal representatives.

The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is to set up a certified facility integrated counselling
and testing centre for HIV counselling and testing in a private sector/not for profit /non-governmental
organisations run health facility through a public private partnership. The aim is to provide access to quality
HIV counselling and testing services to individuals who access private/not for profit health care system in both
urban and rural areas of the country.
II. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SACS

1. To supply rapid HIV diagnostic kits (Only 1st test / 3 different antigens/ principles) in quarterly advance
as per annual requirement to XXYYZZ subject to availability of above kits with SACS. While every effort
will be made to provide uninterrupted supply of above kits, SACS will not be held responsible for any
shortage of above kits due to unforeseen circumstances.
2. To provide training of staff of ICTC (staff of facility) in HIV counselling and testing in NACO approved
centres. If required,more than one trainingwill be provided by the SACS.
4. To supply condoms required for demonstration and distribution to individuals coming to the ICTC as per
requirement.
5. To supply prophylactic ARV drugs for prevention of transmission from HIV positive mother to their new
born babies as per national protocol.
NACO/SACS/DAPCU.
7. To provide Registers and Formats as per “Operational guidelines for Integrated Counselling and Testing
Centre” published by NACO, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India in July, 2007 or any
newer version thereof.
III. RESPONSIBILITIES OF XXYYZZ
1. To provide a room with suitable, sufficient and convenient space to be used for counselling purpose with
adequate furniture, lighting and privacy and any other infrastructure required.
2. To provide a laboratory equipped with refrigerator, centrifuge, micropipette, needle cutter, etc for HIV
testing & blood sample storing facility.
3. To designate existing staff or appoint new staff for the posts of counsellor and laboratory technician in the
ICTC. To also designate an existing Medical Officer as ICTC Manager.

4. To provide consumables such as needles, gloves, syringes, serum storage vials, microtips, etc. of standard
quality required for HIV testing to the ICTC.
5. To provide counselling and testing services in the ICTC to any individual who approaches the ICTC
without discrimination as per protocol laid out in the guideline text per “Operational guidelines for
Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre” published by NACO, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare,
Govt. of India in July, 2007 or any newer version thereof. The consultation charge will be used to defray
cost for provision of the above services.
6. (For those facilities who opt only 1st test) On identification of a reactive individual through the screening
test, to refer the said individual for confirmatory test and follow up services to either a government or
PPP-ICTC as per the preference of the individual through appropriate referral mechanism.
7. (For those facilities who opt 3 different antigens/principles) To prepare the Line List for those individuals
(General as well as ANC) who found reactive for 3 different antigens/principles.
8. To entirely bear the costs related to staff salary, infrastructure and consumables required for the ICTC.
9. To respect the privacy of individuals and maintain confidentiality. Provide data protection systems to
ensure that records of all those who are counselled and tested are not accessible to any unauthorized
person.
10. To maintain quality assurance at the service delivery especially in HIV testing services as provided in
the guideline text “Operational guidelines for Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre” published by
NATIONAL AIDS CONTROL ORGANIZATION, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India in July,
2007 or any newer version thereof. XXYYZZ will be accountable for any substandard delivery of services.
11. (For those facilities who opt 3 different antigens/principles) To participate in EQAS (External Quality
Assessment Scheme) as laid out in the above mentioned guideline text. XXYYZZ will send samples in the
first week of every quarter, for cross checking to the SRL (state reference laboratory-state/district ICTC
management authority) once every quarter. The laboratory technician designated by XXYYZZ to ensure
that these samples are collected in the first week of Jan, Apr, July and Oct & sent to the SRL.
12. To send monthly report to the SACS/DAPCU in naco-sims.gov.in and nacoplhiv.gov.in format by 5th of
every month through SIMS and maintain individual records in registers and records supplied by the SACS/
DAPCU.
13. To use all the IEC materials, condoms, items required for laboratory use, protective kits for delivery
supplied by the SACS/DAPCU at the service delivery purpose by the XXYYZZ.
14. To maintain stock records for the all items and drugs provided by the SACS/DAPCU.
15. To maintain quality bio-medical waste management of disposable items those are used in HIV testing as
per their standard protocol or respective State Government norms.
16. To ensure that staff working in the blood collection room and laboratory will observe universal safety
precaution (USP).
17. To ensure that ICTC staff are aware of the PEP procedure and display the name and contact information
of the PEP focal point/ person as well as the location where the PEP drugs are stored.
18. To follow the national protocol for ARV prophylaxis for prevention of parent to child transmission of HIV
(PPTCT).
19. To attend coordination/review meetings conducted by SACS/DAPCU.
20. To ensure that no research or clinical trials are done on the individuals who visit the ICTC or based on
data of individuals who visit the ICTCs.

21. To attend review meetings at the district level and SACS level as per the supervisory protocol that is
provided in the “Operational guidelines for Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre” published by
NATIONAL AIDS CONTROL ORGANIZATION, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India in
July, 2007 or any newer version thereof. To allow access to authorized NATIONAL AIDS CONTROL
ORGANIZATION/SACS/DAPCU staffs who visit the ICTC to the premises and records of the ICTC.
22. To permit SACS to periodically test designated counsellor and Lab. Technician for their knowledge,
attitude and skills.
23. To follow the testing methodology & algorithm as mentioned in the “Operational guidelines for Integrated
Counselling and Testing Centre” published by NATIONAL AIDS CONTROL ORGANIZATION, Ministry of
Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India in July, 2007 or any newer version thereof, in the laboratory by
XXYYZZ.
24. To follow various guidelines under National AIDS Control Programme.
25. Test kits supplied by SACS not to be used for routine screening of surgical patients of the facility.
IV. COMMENCEMENT
1. This Memorandum of Understanding shall become effective upon signature by both the parties and
certification of the facility site. It shall remain in full force and effect for a period of one year thereafter.
2. Further, the certification of the site of the collaborative testing project as “NATIONAL AIDS CONTROL
ORGANIZATION/SACS designated HIV counselling and testing centre” shall run concomitantly with the
present Memorandum of Understanding.
V. RENEWAL OF AGREEMENT
1. This Memorandum of Understanding is renewable at the option of /SACS.
2. Three months prior to the expiry of the Memorandum of Understanding due to efflux of time
SACS/DAPCU shall intimate XXYYZZ if it intends to renew or not to renew the Memorandum of
Understanding.
3. In the event that SACS/DAPCU decides not to renew the Memorandum of Understanding, XXYYZZ
shall give notice to the facility regarding the cancellation of its certification. In the event that SACS
decide to renew the Memorandum of Understanding, the terms and conditions of this Memorandum
of Understanding, as may be amended, will apply de novo.
VI. TERMINATION OF MoU
1. Any party may terminate this Memorandum of Understanding after giving three months’ notice to the
other party at the address provided in this Memorandum of Understanding for correspondence or the
last communicated for the purpose and acknowledges in writing by other party.
2. SACS are authorized to terminate this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) if any dispute or
difference or question arises during the period.
VII. BREACH BY XXYYZZ
In case XXYYZZ is not able to provide services as per Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or
defaults on the provision of this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or declines the patient to
provide HIV counselling and testing services, it shall be liable for breach of conditions of this MoU.

VIII. ADRESSES FOR CORRESPONDENCE
above stated.

Date……………………… Date……………………

Name and Signature Name and Signature…………………………
………………………………….
Date ………………………… Date …………………………

(III) MOU between PPP-ICTC (Data Sharing Model) and SACS
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR SERVICE DELIVERY ON INTEGRATED COUNSELING AND
State AIDS Control Society_____
&
This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is made on _________day of (month and year) by the Project Director
(name of State AIDS Control Society and Address) AND
XXYYZZ, a facility having its office at ______ acting through _______________, the authorised signatory, hereinafter
referred to as “XXYYZZ”, which expression shall, unless repugnant to the context, include its successor in business,
administrators, liquidators and assigns or legal representatives.

The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is to set up a certified facility integrated
counselling and testing centre for HIV counselling and testing in a private sector/not for profit /non-
government organisation run health facility through a public private partnership. The aim is to provide
access to quality HIV counselling and testing services to individuals who access private/not for profit
health care system in both urban and rural areas of the country.
II. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SACS:

1. To provide sensitization of staff of ICTC (staff of facility) in HIV counselling and testing, PPTCT and
universal work precaution in NACO approved centres. If required,more than one training will be provided
by the SACS.
NACO/SACS/DAPCU.
4. To provide Registers and Formats as per “Operational guidelines for Facility Integrated Counselling and
Testing Centre” published by NACO, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India in July, 2007 or
any newer version thereof.
III. RESPONSIBILITIES OF XXYYZZ:
1. Designate a Nodal Officer, who would be responsible for all activities of PPP-ICTC.
2. Ensure timely referral of the HIV reactive individual (General as well as ANC) for confirmatory test
using the referral slips provided by SACS, if individual so desire.
3. To prepare the Line List for those individuals (General as well as ANC) who found reactive & referred to
Stand Alone ICTC.
4. Coordination with ICTC, DAPCU and ART centres about referral of individuals.
5. Report to District / SACS on the first of every month in naco-sims.gov.in and naco-plhiv.gov.in the
number of individual registered and tested and HIV reactive pregnant mothers identified and referred
for confirmatory test.

IV. ADRESSES FOR CORRESPONDENCE
above stated.

Date……………………… Date……………………

Name and Signature Name and Signature…………………………
………………………………….
Date ………………………… Date …………………………

Annexure E2: D.O. letter issued by AS & MD (NHM) and AS & DG (NACO)
regarding Universal Screening of Pregnant Women for HIV
& Syphilis

Action-Plan for Universal screening for HIV and Syphilis in Pregnant Women
• All pregnant women coming for Ante Natal Care (ANC), will be screened both for HIV and Syphilis by the ANMs
at all health care facilities and at sites convened for NHNDs.
 Pregnant women, who are screened positive for HIV, should be referred to Stand Alone–ICTCs (SA-ICTCs)
for confirmatory testing. Pregnant women who are confirmed HIV positive and their infants will be referred
to ART centres at the earliest for initiation of the-long Anti-retroviral therapy (ART).
 Like-wise, pregnant women who are tested positive for Syphilis should be referred to the closest PHC/CHC
for confirmation using RPR tests (both Qualitative and Quantitaties) and treated with 2-4 million units of
Inj. Benzathine penicillin.
 Spouses Partners of HIV & Syphilis positive ANCs should be tested and treated on a top priority.
• All Point-of-Care (PoC) test kits for HIV & Syphilis will be centrally procured by NACO and supplied to all the
states based on their estimated number of pregnancies.
 15 million PoCs test kits (HIV) will be procured under NACP budget and 10 million PoCs test kits (HIV)
will be procured from the NHM budget.
 15 million PoC test kits (Syphilis) will be procured from the NHM budget.
• State NHM and State AIDS Control Societies (SACS) will ensure distribution of PoCs test kits of HIV & Syphilis to
the peripheral Institutions - PHCs, SCs, F-ICTCs and to all labour-rooms cold-chain maintenance of them.
• All PoC test kits for HIV & Syphilis and their controls/reagents should be stored in refrigerator at temperatures
maintained between 2-8 degrees Centigrade at lowest cold chain point. HIV/Syphilis test kits/their controls/
reagents should not be kept inside IL Rs. During outreach activities, the PoC test kits should be carried in
dedicated thermocol boxes placed inside the separate vaccine carrier.
• Priorities and rapidly scale-up of HIV and Syphilis testing sites especially in places with high volume of deliveries
taking place i.e. at delivery points. This requires meticulous planning and mapping of existing facilities and
linkages to ICTCs and ART centres.
• All the ANMs/Staff Nurses should be trained (half-day) in the HIV and syphilis screening tests techniques,
reduction of stigma and discrimination against People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and in maintaining their
confidentiality at the PHCs/CHCs during their monthly meetings.
• All Laboratory Technicians working whether contractual under NHM/NACP or regular LTs (General Labs, RNTCP,
Malaria) to be trained (half-day training on testing, counselling and referrals). This is to ensure that all LTs are
well versed with HIV and Syphilis testing using PoC and confirmatory tests.
• HIV and Syphilis positive pregnant women to be categorised as “High Risk Pregnancies” and birth-planning to be
done for all cases, thereby ensuring institutional deliveries and improving the outcomes of mother and child.
• Family planning services especially spacing methods PP IUCDs, need to be promoted among HIV and Syphilis
positive women soon after their deliveries in institutions, so that the subsequent pregnancies can be well
planned and spaced. To address gender inequalities in adoption of permanent methods for Family Planning. All
states should ensure that No Scalpel Vasectomies (NSV) are promoted more rationally despite nil morbidity and
mortality rates. This needs development of appropriate IEC/BCC material for enhancing uptake of No scalpel
vasectomy (NSV).
• To ensure accurate reporting on numbers of ANCs tested for HIV and Syphilis; numbers detected positive;
numbers initiated on treatment; numbers of spouses tested and treated in the monthly HMIS formats (revised
during 2015-16) and in RCH registers (MCTS/RCH Portal).
• Encourage and maintain strong coordination mechanisms between State AIDS Control Societies and NHM in
all the states for smooth implementation of the strategies for eliminating parent-to-child-transmissions of HIV &
Syphilis.
• Joint monthly monitoring teams to review progress and implementation in different states should be planned.
This is critical for achieving the goals of e-PTCT of HIV and Syphilis.

Annexure E3: Rubber Stamps Prototype for HCTS facilities
All the HCTS facilities are advised to use rubber stamps to reduce time in filling the (a) Name, Address, Phone and
email information and (b) PID number in registers, forms and cards.
Stamp 1: Name, Address, Phone and Email Information
A sample format for a rubber stamp with only Name and Address is provided for ICTC NDMC Polyclinic.
HIV Counselling and Testing Service

(HCTS Facility
SACS Name of HCTS facility:
Emblem Unique ID (14 digit)
ADDRESS:
PIN:
Stamp 1 Stamp 2
Stamp 2: A rubber stamp for issuing 23 PID to the individual tested at HCTS facility. Initial 14 digits of the 23 digit
PID code can be printed through rubber stamp
Sample-1: For HCTS Confirmatory facility (SA-ICTC)
__ __ SAICTC AP APR 001__ __ __ __ __ __ __
Sample-2: For HCTS Screening facility (FICTC/PPP-ICTC/TI-ICTC)
__ __ FICTC AP APR 0001__ __ __ __ __ __ __

Annexure E4: Checklist for HCTS Confirmatory Facilities (SA-ICTC)

Annexure E5: Integrated 10 Points counselling Tool on TB/Drug Resistant
TB
integrated 10 points counselling tool on tb/drug resistant tb
1. Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common opportunistic Infection in people living with HTC (PLHIV) and
leading cause of death in PLHIV.
2. Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused predominantly by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. The infection
occurs most commonly through droplet nuclei generated by coughing, sneezing etc., inhaled via the
respiratory route. TB usually affects the lungs, but may affect other parts of the body as well.
• An HIV negative person infected with TB has a 10% life-time risk of developing TB disease.
• HIV increases the risk of progression from TB infection to TB disease and PLHIVs have a 60%
lifetime risk of developing TB disease.
3. Persons having cough of 2 weeks or more, with or without other symptoms, are referred to as pulmonary TB
suspect (Presumptive TB case). They should have 2 sputum samples examined at Designated Microscopy
Centre (DMC).
4. A person with extra-pulmonary TB may have symptoms related to the organs affected along with symptoms
like enlarged cervical lymph modes, Chest pain, Pain and swelling of the joints etc. Extra-pulmonary TB can
be confirmed by other investigations.
5. All people living with HIV should be regularly screened for TB using a clinical symptom-based algorithm
consisting with any one of the symptoms of Cough of any duration, Fever, Weight loss or Night sweats at the
time of initial presentation for HIV care and at every visit to a health facility or contact with a health-care
worker afterwards.
6. Diagnosis and treatment services for TB are available free of cost through the Revised National TB Control
Programme (RNTCP)
• 2 sputum smear examinations are necessary for the diagnosis of pulmonary TB. During the course
of treatment the progress is monitored by means of follow up sputum examinations.
• Anti TB drugs are provided in patient-wise drug boxes, which ensure that the full course of treatment
is available at the start of treatment. Treatment is provided by “DOT provider” at a place near the
patient’s home.
• Cure from TB can only be ensured by taking complete and regular treatment. Without correct and
complete treatment, a patient can become very ill or develop Drug resistant TB.
7. PLHIV diagnosed with TB should be linked to ART services at earliest, irrespective of CD4Count. Co-
trimoxazole preventive therapy should be provided to all HIV-TB co-infected patients to prevent opportunistic
infection.
8. An HIV/TB co-infected patient should be referred to nearest RNTCP certified Culture and Drug sensitivity
laboratory facility/CBNAAT facility for diagnosis of Drug resistant TB.
9. The client’s information is to be kept confidential and this information is not furnished under any
circumstances to any other person except ‘Shared confidentiality’ with the treating physician and public
health system DOT provider for better case management & to get benefit of prophylactic/treatment options
available for him.
10. All TB/Drug resistant TB patients should maintain cough hygiene (putting a cloth onnose & mouth while
coughing or sneezing) to prevent transmission of TB/DRTB.

Annexure E6: Cover Page & First page of All Registers
ICTC Code : ______________________________

Name of the Register ICTC Name : ______________________________
State : ______________________________
Register No.
District : ______________________________
Block : ______________________________
Volume : ________
This is to certify that this register contains______pages & starts w.e.f.___
Signature of ICTC In-charge

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Government of India
© National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, May 2015 © National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, May 2015

Annexure E7: Referral Slip from ICTC Counsellor to Lab Technician
Referral Slip
(Counsellor to Lab Technician)
Name of the Individual:
Date of Pre test Counselling:
PID number :
Consent taken:  Yes  No
Signature of Counsellor

Annexure E8: Contact details of officials of Basic Services Division at
NACO
Sl.No Name Designation Mobile No. Office No. E-mail id
1 Dr. K S Sachdeva DDG(BSD) 9818038890 [email protected]
2 Dr. Asha Hegde NPO(ICTC) 9711845806 43509 921 [email protected]
3 Dr. Rajesh Deshmukh PO(HIV/TB) 9873753546 43616 644 [email protected]
4 Dr. Sunny Swarnkar PO(ICTC) 8860007771 43616 644 [email protected]
5 Mr. Reneej K.B TO(ICTC) 8010026372 43616 658 [email protected]
6 Dr. Jyoti Sharma TO(HIV-TB) 9891424885 43509 903 [email protected]
7 Mr. Mubarak Ali TO(PPTCT) 9999910622 43509 979 [email protected]
8 Dr. P. Sujith TO(M&E) 7838407758 43509 979 [email protected]
9 Mr.Tejas Mulik TA(PPTCT) 9999204579 43509 979 [email protected]
10 Ms. Meena Arya PA to DDG (BSD) 9868184722
Annexure E9: Details of Basic Services Division In-charge at SACS

Sl. State/UT Name Designation Mobile No E-mail id
No.
1 Andaman & Nicobar Dr. Tripti Banik I/c, BSD 9531823828 [email protected]
Island
2 Andhra Pradesh Dr. Ch.A.Padmavathi I/c, BSD 8008554281 [email protected]
3 Arunachal Pradesh Dr. Annong Borang DD(ICTC) 9436250778 [email protected]
4 Assam Ms Rashmi Rekha Bhuyan AD(ICTC) 9435515574 [email protected]
5 Bihar Mr. Mithilesh Kumar Pandey AD(ICTC) 9470836970 [email protected]
6 Chandigarh Mr. Manjeet Singh Gulia I/c, BSD 9876099199 [email protected]
7 Chattisgarh Mr. Kshitiz Diwan AD(M&E) 9425204344 [email protected]
Dr. Anita Mahajan I/c, BSD 9574262984 [email protected]
8 Dadra and Nagar Haveli
Ms. Sapna Prasad I/c, BSD 9904139689 [email protected]
9 Daman & Diu Mr. Prasad Sant I/c, BSD 9978930881 [email protected]
10 Delhi Mr. B. C. Joshi AD(ICTC) 9718513800 [email protected]
11 Goa Patsmenia D’Costa /Dr. Marathe I/c, BSD 0832-2427286 [email protected]
12 Gujarat Dr. Rajendra Gadhavi JD(BSD) 9825068116 [email protected]
Dr. Suvir Saxena I/c, BSD 9888196111 [email protected]
13 Haryana
Ms. Suman Rathi AD(ICTC) 8901100811 [email protected]
14 Himachal Pradesh Dr. Rajesh Thakur JD(BSD) 9816032406 [email protected]
15 Jammu & Kashmir Dr. Yash Karsyal AD(ICTC) 9419642200 [email protected]
16 Jharkhand Md. Masoom Ali AD(ICTC) 9234675029 [email protected]
Dr. Chandra Prabha.G JD(BSD) 9449847023 [email protected]
17 Karnataka
Dr. D. Jayaraju I/c DD(ICTC) 9449846927 [email protected]
18 Kerala Dr Rebecca Thomas AD(ICTC) 9496020813 [email protected]
19 Lakshadweep Mr.Koya Murthaza AD(IEC) 9447959601 [email protected]
20 Madhya Pradesh Mr. Prashant Malaiya DD(ICTC) 9425863214 [email protected]

Sl. State/UT Name Designation Mobile No E-mail id
No.
21 Maharashtra Dr. Prakash B. Bhoi JD(BSD) 9890116583 [email protected]
22 Manipur Dr. S. Ibungochouba Singh DD(ICTC) 7085988497 [email protected]
23 Meghalaya Ms. Mamata Roy Choudhury AD(ICTC) 9774127134 [email protected]
Rymmai
24 Mizoram Dr. Malsawmtluangi Ralte DD(ICTC) 9436140927 [email protected]
25 Mumbai Dr. Vidya Mane DD(ICTC) 9967827774 [email protected]
26 Nagaland Ms. Mhashelenu Nancy AD(ICTC) 9436006371 [email protected]
Dr. Gyanabrata Mohanty JD(BSD) 9437303005 [email protected]
27 Orissa
Ms. Mayarani Mohanty AD(ICTC) 9437415971 [email protected]
28 Pondicherry Ms. E. Mohana QM 9092776503 [email protected]
Dr. Manpreet Chhatwal APD 9855752309 [email protected]
29 Punjab
Dr. Upendrajeet Singh Gill JD(BSD) 9592400394 [email protected]
30 Rajasthan Mr. Satveer Lamba AD(ICTC) 9413505385 [email protected]
31 Sikkim Mr. Passang Tamang AD (M&E) 9614898090 [email protected]
32 Tamil Nadu Ms. R.M. Kalpana AD (ICTC) 8939073952 [email protected]
33 Telangana Mr. D.John Babu APD, JD(BSD)/Ic 8332835440 [email protected]
34 Tripura Mr. Alok Kumar Roy AD(ICTC) 9436518455 [email protected]
35 Uttar Pradesh Dr. Preety Pathak I/c, BSD 9415409772 [email protected]
36 Uttarakhand Mr. Sunil Kumar Singh AD(ICTC) 9012240008 [email protected]
37 West Bengal Dr. S Saren DD(ICTC) 9433124691 [email protected]
Annexure E10: Details of PPTCT Consultant at SACS

S. State/UTs State PPTCT Consultant Mobile No. E-mail id
No.
1 Assam Dr. P D Baruah 9435342620 [email protected],
2 Bihar Mr. Ajit Sahi 9234600438 [email protected]
3 Delhi Dr. Lopamudra Dutta 8872100134 [email protected]
4 Jharkhand Ms. Suganthira Sundaraj 9771185073 [email protected]
5 Karnataka Dr. Lalitha Hande 9845092303 [email protected]
6 Madhya Pradesh Dr. Paras Gupta 9893576216 [email protected]
7 Odisha Ms. Trupti Mishra 9437268012 [email protected]
8 Rajasthan Mr. Ravi Gupta 9460031891 [email protected]
9 Uttar Pradesh Dr. Anand S 9919819338 [email protected]
10 West Bengal Dr. Suman Ganguly 9339431451 [email protected]

REFERENCES
1. “Updated National PPTCT Guidelines, December 2013” available at http://naco.gov.in/upload/
NACP%20%20IV/18022014%20BSD/National_Guidelines_for_PPTCT.pdf
2. “National Strategic Plan on PPTCT, December 2013” available at http://naco.gov.in/upload/
NACP%20%20IV/18022014%20BSD/National%20Strategic%20Plan%20PPTCT.pdf
3. “National Guidelines for HIV Testing” available at http://www.naco.gov.in/NACO/Quick_Links/
Publication/Lab_Services2/11045/National_Guidelines_on_HIV_testing/
4. “Integrated Module for HIV/TB Collaborative Activities, 2015” available at http://www.naco.gov.in/
NACO/Quick_Links/Publication/Basic_Services/Training_Modules_on_HIV_-TB_Training/Integrated_
Training_Module_for_HIVTB_Collaborative_Activities-2015
5. “PLHIV Tracking and Analysis Tool” for ICTC module” available at
http://www.naco-plhiv.com/pdfs/UserManualICTC.pdf
6. “PLHIV Tracking and Analysis Tool” for ART module” available at
http://www.naco-plhiv.com/pdfs/UserManualART.pdf
7. “Strategy and implementation plan for elimination of congenital syphilis (ECS)”, jointly issued by
NACO and NHM/MoHFW, Government of India, 2015 available at www.naco.gov.in
8. “National Guidelines for Quality Management Systems in HIV testing laboratories” available
at http://www.naco.gov.in/NACO/Quick_Links/Publication/Lab_Services2/11045/Quality_
Management_Systems_in_HIV_testing_laboratories/
9. “Operational Guidelines for Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres, 2007” available at
http://www.naco.gov.in/NACO/National_AIDS_Control_Program/Services_for_Prevention/Integrated_
Counselling_and_Testing__ICT/
10. “India HIV Estimations 2015, Technical Report” available at http://www.naco.gov.in/
upload/2015%20MSLNS/HSS/India%20HIV%20Estimations%202015.pdf
11. “Annual report NACO, 2014-15” available athttp://www.naco.gov.in/NACO/Quick_Links/
Publication/Annual_Report/NACO_Annual_Report/Annual_Report_NACO_2014-15_English/
12. “Operational Guidelines for Programme Managers and Service Providers for Strengthening STI/
RTI services, 2007” available at http://naco.gov.in/upload/Policies%20&%20Guidelines/21,%20
Operational%20Guidelines%20STI%20RTI.pdf
13. “ Operational Guidelines- Regional STI Training, Research and Reference Laboratories,
2014” available at http://naco.gov.in/upload/NACP%20-%20IV/18022014%20STI/
OperationalGuidelines.pdf
14. “ Antiretroviral Therapy Guidelines for HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents, 2013” available
at http://www.naco.gov.in/upload/Policies%20&%20Guidelines/Antiretroviral%20Therapy%20
Guidelines%20for%20HIV-Infected%20Adults%20and%20Adolescents.pdf
15. “National Guidelines on Early Infant Diagnosis, 2016” (in print)

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GOI/NACO/BSD (ICTC)/OGL/23062016

NATIONAL HIV COUNSELLING AND

National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines 1

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National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines 5

6 National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines

1.1 Members from Development Partners:

1.2 Members from Research and Academic Institutions:

1.3 Members from NACO:

National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines 7

8 National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines

National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines 9

10 National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines

National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines 11

12 National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines

National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines 13

14 National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines

National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines 15

16 National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines

National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines 17

18 National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines

National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines 19

1. All HCTS facilities have been divided into two groups:

20 National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines

Hiv Counselling and Testing Service Delivery Strategies

National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines 21

2.1 Priority populations for HCTS

1. Infants and children

2. Adolescents (age group 10–19 years)

3. Pregnant and breastfeeding women

22 National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines

For further details, please refer to -

5. Emergency settings (casualty)

6. Patients with Kala-azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis)

7. Tuberculosis patients including presumptive TB cases

8. STI / RTI attendees and patients

9. Sexual partners / spouses of PLHIV (couples)

11. Prison inmates

12. Persons who have undergone sexual assault

2.2 Flow of individuals for accessing HCTS

a) All pregnant women

24 National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines

2.3 Roles and responsibilities of HCTS personnel

2.3.1 NACO Personnel

National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines 25

Coordinate with other Government functionaries

2.3.2 SACS Personnel

Training and Capacity Building of HCTS facilities

Planning and forecasting

26 National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines

Coordination with other Government Departments

2.3.3 District Personnel

Responsibilities of the District ICTC Supervisor are as given below:

National Hiv Counselling and Testing Services (Hcts) Guidelines 27

2.4 HCTS delivery approaches

2.4.1 Facility-based HCTS