Kolkata: The state Health department on the World AIDS Day decided to set up integrated counseling and testing centers (ICTC) for HIV/ AIDS patients soon.

Patients can undergo for tests for HIV/AIDS and also avail primary medication and counseling in ICTCs.

Rajendra Shukla, Director, West Bengal State HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Society, said, “The ICTCs will help the people living in the remotest corner of the state. Apart from testing, they will provide all facilities under one roof, including spreading awareness about the disease and the ways of preventing it. Though the prevalence rate of HIV is low in the state, we cannot afford to be complacent. We have stepped up our efforts to control the disease here.”

Health department estimated that 3,888 AIDS patients were registered in the state till March, and out of these, 1,873 are currently under treatment. Moreover, out of 1,873 about 1,529 patients are on anti-retroviral therapy. WBSAPCS in collaboration with the National AIDS Control Organization will set the ICTCs.

ICTCs would be open at almost all medical college hospitals, district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals and rural ones.

The process of identifying HIV patients in ICTCs is confidential and based on the individual’s consent. It involves counseling prior to the HIV test, which helps people learn about HIV transmission and the likelihood of being infected. Patients will also be counseled after they undergo the test. Once a HIV-positive person registers in these centers, he can also avail the government’s care and support programme.

World AIDS Day was commemorated through various activities in different parts of the state.

WBSAPCS organized a rally from Swasthya Bhawan. Various organisations like the Bengal Network for People Living with HIV/AIDS, Thalassemia and AIDS Prevention Organisation, Durbar Mahila Smanwaya Committee and others also participated in the activities. For the first time, tribal women participated in the AIDS-related programmes.

Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu, more women have participated in HIV counseling and testing programmes. Women outnumbered men who reported at the 760 ICTCs set by the Tamil Nadu State Aids Control Society (TANSACS).

Nearly 2.65 lakh women turned up for the voluntary counseling and testing services as opposed to 2.54 lakh men who opted for the important assessment. This is besides the over 6 lakh mothers who participated in Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission Programme.

More than 14 lakh persons, including 10 lakh women have undergone counseling and testing. 27,679 persons have tested positive with the rate of 1.93.

The highest number of ICTC attendees is in the 30-39 age groups with an estimated 80,632 women and 72,384 men reporting at the centers.

The 25-29 age groups featured 67,104 women and 44,934 men and the 20-24 age groups had 43,708 women and 30,712 men.

TANSACS project director Supriya Sahu, said, “The stage is, perhaps, ideally set for increasing the focus on evolving better social security mechanisms for affected women.”