Innovative Approaches to HIV Counselling in India?

[Guest guest]

Dear Group,

My name is Binod Mahanty and I am working with WHO, UNAIDS and NACO on VCT

services in India.

We are trying to identify 'model' VCT sites in terms of 'counseling

approach', 'target population', 'counseling staff', 'outreach' etc.

What I mean by this is, we are interested to learn, for example, how a

counseling center in a rural low prevalence setting is handling the issue

of counseling staff identification, training etc. How they may 'advertise'

their services, which population group they may target etc etc.

Similarly, we would like to learn from a counseling center located in a red

light area (for example) or in an area where drug use takes place.

What is the approach, how do they reach their target population? What

counselors do they use? How is counseling done etc etc. Are there any

counseling services specifically targeting young people, and how do they

operate, which guidelines or what are the modifications from the NACO

Counseling guidelines?

Usually these approaches go rather unnoticed but I would appreciate if you

shared your experiences with us ? even if they may seem ?irrelevant? to

you.

Hoping to hear from you soon

With very warm wishes

Binod Mahanty

E-mail:mahantyb@...

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