HIV testing and counselling

For over 20 years, client-initiated HIV testing and counselling, also known as voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), has helped millions of people learn their HIV status. Nevertheless, global coverage of HIV testing and counselling programmes remains low. Efforts are urgently needed to increase the provision of HIV testing through a wider range of effective and safe options.

In 2007, WHO and UNAIDS issued guidance on provider-initiated HIV testing and counselling (PITC) in health facilities to increase uptake and improve access to HIV health services. HIV testing is a critical entry point to life-sustaining care for people living with HIV, and service delivery models need to be expanded to testing in antenatal care, sexually transmitted infection clinics, in-patient wards as well as free-standing, client-initiated testing centres. People who test HIV negative should receive counselling on how to reduce exposure to HIV and stay negative.