From the Chief Mentor's Desk:

Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) is being recognised as one of the crucial components of effective strategy for HIV/AIDS prevention and care. The VCT centres are means to create awareness, provide timely care and safeguard against the epidemic.

VCT is the process, by which an individual undergoes confidential HIV counseling to explore his/her risk of HIV infection and exercises an informed choice. The concept needs to be popularised.

CII urges all businesses to take the initiative of setting up VCTC services in their existing health facilities or tie up with the nearest existing VCTCs. An enabling environment which respects confidentiality, trust and informed choice while providing VCT services will go a long way in addressing the issue of stigma and risk behaviour.

CII can help each company with a suggested framework and implementation plan.

This, really, is very important.