Need for community-based HIV testing stressed
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 21 2014: With less than 50 percent of the population in India undergoing HIV test, time has come for community-based testing, H Umesh Sharma, a New Delhi-based drug and HIV activist has called.

Speaking on the concluding day of a two-day consultation of NE states on community HIV testing & WHO guidelines on HIV/ Hepatitis treatment organised by Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+) here yesterday, Umesh pointed out that Conventional methods of HIV testing at ICTC and PPTCTs are not enough.

We need to supplement this with community testing to achieve hundred percent HIV screening of people who have higher risk of getting HIV and the entire population" .

It may be noted here that a July 2014 UNAIDS report shows that worldwide 19 million of the 35 million people living with HIV today do not know that they have HIV.

The Department of AIDS Control, Government of India, under its National AIDS Control Programme - IV which was launched in May 2014 has plans of initiating community-based HIV screening by front line health workers such as Auxiliary Nurse Midwives after pilot testing in high HIV burden districts (with low rates of institutional delivery).

This will augment the present HIV screening at the Integrated Counselling and Testing Centers (ICTC) and Prevention of Parent to Chid Transmission (PPTCT) centers.

Moreover, World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2013 recommended community-based HIV testing and counseling.

Manoj Pardeshi, National Coalition of PLHIV in India (NCPI+), who took part in the two-day consultation said that community based testing is the only way to plug the gap left by the present HIV testing strategy.

"If we want to ensure that every adolescent, everyone including drug users, transgender, sex workers and families of HIV positive people get tested then community-lead HIV testing model will be a cost effective solution.

This strategy can penetrate the population more, reduce stigma attached with HIV testing, link with all the care, support and treatment services and is community friendly.

The initial hesitation to go to a testing centre and share one's story with a stranger is done away with" .

51 participants representing eight NE states endorsed community screening due to obvious benefits like use of peers and frontline health workers, confidentiality, dedicated follow up services, economy etc.

Though strongly recommended by WHO and UNAIDS community-based HIV screening could throw up challenges.

"It may take a year or so to prepare the ground for community testing.

Awareness has to be generated on this strategy so that communities accept it without fear.

The health department and other stakeholders have to be involved and partnered with to make it meaningful", Ketholelie Angami, Nagaland Users' Network (NUN) .

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