The Regional Institute for HIV Surveillance & Epidemiology (RI-RIMS) today inaugurated the Regional Training of Trainers (TOT) for the HIV Sentinel Surveillance (HSS) among High-Risk Groups 2026 and the Integrated Biological and Behavioural Surveillance (IBBS) among PLHIV 2026 at Sushruta Hall, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal.

The three-day programme, scheduled from November 26 to 28, 2025, is organised by RI-RIMS Imphal in collaboration with the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.

Participants from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura took part in the training, which aims to strengthen surveillance mechanisms, build the capacity of state-level trainers, and enhance the quality of data collection for HSS and IBBS across the North Eastern region.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Prof. G. Sunil Kumar Sharma, Director of RIMS Imphal, as Chief Guest. Prof. Shantibala K., Head of the Department of Community Medicine, attended as Guest of Honour, while Prof. H. Rebachandra Singh, Head and Laboratory Director of the Department of Microbiology, along with Prof. H. Sanayaima Devi, Focal Person of RI-RIMS Imphal, presided over the function.

The Regional TOT is designed to boost regional capacity for scientifically sound HIV surveillance and epidemiological research, contributing to stronger evidence-based public health planning and response in the North East.