It plans to set up integrated counselling and testing centres and sexually transmitted infection clinics across the state

Chandigarh: In a bid to intensify its campaign against HIV/ AIDS and bring treatment nearer to the doorsteps of patients, Haryana government would set up facility integrated counselling and testing centres and sexually transmitted infection clinics all across the state in the coming months.

"To start with, 10 facility integrated counselling and testing centres and one sexually transmitted infection clinic will be opened at Sonepat, on pilot basis. Based on the response, similar facilities will be opened in all districts of Haryana," Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary (Health) Navraj Sandhu said.

"Trained staff, including doctors and para–medical staff, are being recruited for these centre and. Besides catering to patients, the staff will also organise camps and door–to–door surveys in their respective areas," she said

Besides, Sandhu stated that seven new targeted intervention projects, including two for truckers and five for migrants would be made functional in 2012–13, in different parts of the state.

"With a view to bring the treatment to the doorsteps of HIV/AIDS patients, six new Link Anti Retroviral Treatment (ART) centres would be set up at Fatehabad, Panipat, Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar, Gurgaon and Faridabad, raising their number to 18," Sandhu added.