Training unit of the National STD/AIDS Control Programme conducts comprehensive training programmes to all categories of STD clinic staff throughout the year based on an annual training plan. Those programmes consist of pre-service, in-service, refresher, undergraduate, postgraduate and international training.
Pre-service training
All health care workers should undergo mandatory training within six months of enrolment to the STD clinics. Medical officers attached to the STD clinic should undergo compulsory two months of theory and practical training at NSACP, Colombo. Other major health staff such as nursing officers, public health nursing sisters, matrons, medical laboratory technicians, pharmacists, public health laboratory technicians, dispensers and public health inspectors undergo two weeks of training which consist of theory, practical, case discussion, small group discussion and outreach work. Supporting staff such as attendants, Saukya Karya Sahayaka and Lab orderly are also given one-week training at NSACP.
Refresher training
Refresher training is being conducted covering all provinces.
Undergraduate training
Medical students from local medical collages and nursing students from Nursing schools are having undergraduate training at Central and district STD clinics.
Postgraduate training
The Postgraduate training of Venereology has been conducted since 2002 in collaboration with the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM), University of Colombo. Diploma trainees, MD trainees and post-MD trainees in Venereology are trained under the supervision of consultants in NSACP and other district STD clinics that are accredited by PGIM. Trainees in other specialties such as diploma trainees of Microbiology, Family medicine and Child health, MD trainees of Microbiology, Virology, Community medicine, Forensic medicine and Dermatology were trained for the management of the STD and HIV.
Special training programmes
Special training programs are held throughout the year to the NSACP staff regarding various aspets such as counselling, PrEP pilot project, EIMS, etc.
NGO related training
Training programmes are being conducted to NGO staff and peer educators to achieve goals in KP related targeted interventions
Guideline and module development
The main aim of the training and capacity building unit of NSACP is to train health care workers to provide good quality services in the island via STD clinics. Development of modules and guidelines are for training programmes are developed by the training and capacity building unit of NSACP. The unit works with relevant authorities to develop and regularly up-date on guidelines, training curricula for the implementation of training and capacity
