AP: 140 new AIDS testing and counselling centres in the state

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More AIDS testing centres on the cards

LISON JOSEPH

TIMES NEWS NETWORK [ MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2004 03:03:54 AM ]

HYDERABAD: Plans are afoot to set up 140 new AIDS testing and

counselling centres in the state, where the incidence of such cases

is alarmingly high.

An estimated five lakh people are HIV positive in the state.

At present, there are 97 voluntary counselling and testing centres

(VCTCs) in the state, where people can get AIDS tests done for free.

These centres also provide counselling to patients, besides

undertaking awareness programmes among the high-risk population like

truck drivers and migrant labourers.

Recently, officials of the National AIDS Control Organisation (Naco)

voiced the need for more VCTCs in the state, considering the high

incidence of the disease here.

The Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (Apsacs) carried out a

survey in the state to check out possible locations for counselling

centres.

Submitting the survey findings, Apsacs has formally sought Naco's

permission to start the new centres. Getting a nod from Naco is

essential, as the AIDS testing kits and central government funds for

running such counselling centres are routed through it.

An AIDS test costs more than Rs 2,000, and Apsacs needs adequate

funds to run so many testing and counselling centres in the state.

At present counselling centres are located in district hospitals,

teaching hospitals and at select primary health centres. Till June

2002, the state had only 26 counselling centres but in the last two

years Apsacs has established 71 additional centres.

If permission is granted for more such centres, the state could soon

have a total of 237 counselling centres, the highest in the country.

This will help the government make a more realistic assessment of

the actual spread of the disease.

All the new counselling centres will be located in existing primary

health centres, especially in the interior and rural areas.

" The file is with Naco. The deadline for setting up new counselling

centres is yet to be fixed. We hope to get their nod at the

earliest, " Apsacs project director K Damayanthi said.

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