Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) for HIV usually involves two counseling sessions: one prior to taking the test known as "pre-test counseling" and one following the HIV test when the results are given, often referred to as "post-test counseling". Counseling focuses on the infection (HIV), the disease (AIDS), the test, and positive behavior change. VCT has become popular in many parts of Africa as a way for a person to learn their HIV status. VCT centers and counselors often use rapid HIV tests that require a drop of blood or some cells from the inside of one's cheek; the tests are cheap, require minimal training, and provide accurate results in about 15 minutes.

Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) enables individuals to deal constructively with the possibility that they might be infected with HIV. Studies have shown that VCT may be a cost-effective part of prevention of HIV infection . VCT includes good-quality pretest and posttest counseling and proper referral to follow-up services, which enable clients to

(1) prepare for the possibility that the test results could be positive;

(2) carefully prepare strategies to mobilize support from a potentially hostile social environment; and

(3) become acquainted with the concept of “living positively with HIV”

Thus, mandatory HIV testing is inadequate and unethical, and by no means should it be considered a “simple” shortcut to getting HIV-positive patients to help prevent the spread of HIV to others. HIV testing needs to be part of a “package” of support and care services. These need to begin in the hospital and extend into the community.

Role of Mandatory HIV Testing

HIV testing carried out on a voluntary basis with a ppropriate pre and post-test counseling is consider ed to be a better strategy and is in line with WHO Guidelines on HIV testing. The basis and objectives of testing are to:

• Monitor the trend of HIV infection in a population
•  Test blood or organs or tissue for ensuring safety of the recipients, and
•  Identify an individual with HIV infection for diag nosis or voluntary testing purposes.

There is an active debate in the India on the issue as to whether there should be mandatory testing of persons suspecting of carrying HIV infection. Considerable thought has be en given to this issue. Testing for HIV is more than a mere biological test for it involves ethical, human and legal dimensions. The C entral Government feels there is no public health rationale for mandatory testing of a person for HIV/AIDS. On the other hand , such an approach could be counterproductive as it may scare a large number of suspected cases from getting detected and counseled to take appropriate measure to improve his quality of life and prevent spread of infection to other persons in the community. HIV testing carried out on voluntary ba sis with appropriate pre and post-test counseling is considered to be a better strategy and is in line with the national policy on HIV testing and also the WHO Guidelines. HIV testing should be a part of