SEPTEMBER 2003 — In February 1999 the Population Council and FHI brought together scientists, policymakers, health service providers, activists, and members of the community to discuss some critical issues concerning HIV counseling and testing in the South and Southeast Asia region. The following summarizes important points that emerged over the course of the workshop.
- In many countries of the region, HIV testing has
been viewed as an approach to track down and
isolate people living with HIV or AIDS (PLHA).
- More humane and person-centered programs are
needed, that focus not so much on HIV testing but
on counseling and other services that address the
diverse needs and rights of individuals at risk of
acquiring HIV infection or currently living with
HIV/AIDS.
- Voluntary HIV counseling and testing plays a pivotal
role in prevention of mother-to-child
transmission of HIV.
- In planning HIV counseling and testing programs,
the challenge is to expand access to services, while
ensuring that they meet basic standards with respect
to the practice of informed consent, the quality of
the counseling, the validity of the HIV test, and
confidentiality.
- Policies and laws regarding HIV testing must be developed through processes that are informed by public health expertise and a human rights perspective.
- Questions to guide operations research in support of
the development and expansion of voluntary
counseling and testing programs in the region were
identified and are listed at the end of the report.
