National HIV Counselling and Testing Services (HCTS) Guidelines 2016

During 2014-15, the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) in collaboration with the National Reproductive and Child Health Programme has included screening for HIV and syphilis in the essential package of ante-natal care services for all pregnant women. This will enable India to eliminate both HIV and syphilis in the new born.

Early testing and diagnosis, on a voluntary basis, is the gateway to HIV prevention, treatment, care and other support services. The challenge is to increase access to and uptake of HIV testing among priority populations. This warrants different innovative strategic approaches suitable for implementation across different states and union territories of India.

The present 'National HIV Counselling and Testing Services Guidelines 2016' provides extensive details on the different strategic approaches with implementation plan to scale up the reach and coverage of services to priority populations.