Universal and routine access to quality assured HIV related laboratory services are made available through the activities of Laboratory Services Division. It is recognized that work related to laboratory services are not confined to HIV testing, but are overarching and have an impact on other interventions included under prevention, care, support and treatment, STI management, blood safety, procurement and supply chain management. Emphasis on quality assured laboratory service delivery is important to the success of NACP.To ensure quality of HIV testing under the NACP, NACO has an External Quality Assessment Programme administered to all HIV testing laboratories.

Major activities of Laboratory Services Division:

• Framing guidelines for HIV testing, Quality in HIV Testing, Enumeration of T lymphocytes and Laboratory guidelines for Early Infant Diagnosis
• Accreditation of HIV testing Laboratories.
• Establishing and improving Quality Management Systems in CD4 testing laboratories, STI laboratories and ICTCs.
• External Quality Assurance Programme for HIV testing laboratories
• Consortium for ensuring kit Quality in NACP
• Testing Services in National Programme on Early Infant/child less than 18 months Diagnosis.
• CD4 testing for initiation and monitoring of patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART)
• Viral Load testing for second line ART
• Training of laboratory personnel.

Laboratory Services Division functions at the cross-cutting interface of all other divisions. It is recognised that work related to laboratory services are not just confined to HIV testing, but are overarching and have an impact on other interventions including those under prevention, care, support and treatment, STI management, blood safety, procurement and supply chain management. Emphasis on quality assured laboratory service delivery is important to the success of the NACP. Universal availability and routine access to quality assured HIV related laboratory services is ensured in all service delivery points through this division.