Participants practicing return demo for pipetting and biosafety in the online training course

The Transfusion Transmissible Infections – National Reference Laboratory (TTI-NRL) of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) concluded its series of HIV and other TTI Proficiency Training Workshop with a total of 122 licensed HIV proficient medical technologists from various blood service facilities.

Spanning four (4) batches throughout the year, the training workshops were held for the months of April, June, August, and October.

The participants underwent a six-day online training course which consisted of lectures on the basic theories and laboratory work demonstrations. The online training aims to promote self-sufficiency and sustainability that will aid in the development of the technical and analytical skills required from medical technologists to promote best practices in laboratory testing. 

Aside from this, TTI-NRL also conducted online refresher courses to 183 licensed HIV proficient medical technologists, over two batches in April 21 and October 07, 2022. The course provided updates for medical technologists with existing HIV Testing Proficiency Certificates that have lapsed. The course consisted of lectures, video presentations, and interactive group discussion designed to review the basic principles and updates on HIV and other TTI testing. 

In addition to being a requirement for the renewal of the License to Operate issued by the Department of Health (DOH) Health Facilities Services and Regulatory Bureau, and the Certificate of Inclusion to the Blood Services Network provided by the DOH National Voluntary Blood Services Program, TTI-NRL ensures that quality in blood screening and blood safety are maintained through the effective delivery of this training course.

By: Joharha May A. Custodio, RPm