• To identify the regional co-ordinating centres and the team of epidemiologist and microbiologist for each state for adequate supervision and monitoring in the country.
• To orient the co-ordinating team regarding the methodology of the annual sentinel surveillance and the activities to be carried out by them including training.
• To co-ordinate the activities of the regional co-ordinating teams(RCT) along with NACO /SACS and to compile at the National level the state reports on supervision submitted by RCT members to NIHFW.
• To collect,compile,collate and analyze the data obtained from the surveillance activity in each state and prepare an epidemiological report for NACO.
• To collaborate with National Institute of Medical Statistics (ICMR) for estimation of HIV positive load in the country.

               NIHFW has been carrying out the above mentioned activities since the start of the Annual Sentinel surveillance for HIV in 1998.In 2004 also as in previous years, the Institute has identified 23 Regional Coordinating teams (RCTs) situated in different states. An epidemiologist along with a micro-biologist from medical colleges/regional research centers constitute the teams. Orientation training was imparted to them at NIHFW, New Delhi before the start of the round of surveillance in 2004. The regional coordinators in turn, co-operated with the State AIDS Control Societies of each State to organize orientation training for the personnel from sentinel sites and HIV testing centers. Supervisory visits were made by the regional coordinators between July and September 2004 to sentinel sites and HIV testing centers. Monitoring was done by studying the records as well as by direct observation, using checklists, prepared by NIHFW. Immediate action was taken to sort out the problems detected and feedback given to SACS, NIHFW and NACO. Every effort was made for maintaining the quality in the surveillance programme. A state wise surveillance activity report was prepared by the Regional Coordinating Team members and submitted to NIHFW. NIHFW collated and prepared the final report.

                 A significant contribution by NIHFW was introduction of a web-based software developed by NIHFW in collaboration with IIT, Delhi and Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi in the 2004 surveillance round for data collection and analysis. The designated officers from State AIDS Control Societies from each State/UT were given two day’s “hands on training” at NIHFW for using the same. This facilitated the states to upload surveillance data on the NIHFW web site. The software has built in checks to ensure entry of correct data. Data from 670 sites was down loaded at NIHFW. An epidemiological country report for 2004 has been finalized. NIHFW is involved in the estimation of HIV infections in the country in collaboration with Indian Council Medical Research, New Delhi since 2003.

Click to View Annual Sentinel Surveillance for HIV Infection in India-Country Report 2006

Click to View Annual Sentinel Surveillance for HIV Infection in India-Country Report 2005

Click to View Annual Sentinel Surveillance for HIV Infection in India-Country Report 2004