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Technology | Now, an app that will help people with HIV -Sushmi Dey

Now, an app that will help people with HIV -Sushmi Dey

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published Published on Sep 23, 2015   modified Modified on Sep 23, 2015
-The Times of India

NEW DELHI: In an attempt to increase accessibility of information and treatment of HIV, National Aids Control Organization (NACO) has rolled out a mobile app for AIDS awareness and prevention.

The app, first of its kind in India, is based on various international models. The app would provide all kinds of information on AIDS, which is not easily available otherwise. For instance, it will provide information of HIV testing centres in the locality, information on availability of free testing kits and medicines etc.

The app, called HELP (HIV Education and Linkage to Prevention), will also prompt users to access HIV testing from the nearest centre free of cost.

The idea is to bridge the awareness and accessibility gap through digital intervention and encourage youth to know their HIV status. The move will also help the government to keep a count on the incidence and prevalence of HIV cases, which is currently a major area of contention.

The national AIDS control programme is the government's largest health intervention programme. The programme, run under NACO and implemented by states, demonstrated an overall reduction of 57 per cent in the annual new HIV infections among adult population from 2.74 lakh in 2000 to 1.16 lakh in 2011, according to NACO's 2013-14 annual report. However, the facts were questioned by many international agencies, which said a lot of people in India are unaware of their HIV status.

According to the United Nations, India has the third highest number of estimated people living with HIV in the world.

"To start with, it will provide some basic information but slowly we will ramp it up to include detailed information and education as well as various services," an official said.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation, an international agency which works in the area, is working with the government to expand the use of the app across the country. AHF has also funded the app, while NACO is taking care of the operations and implementation part.

According to the official, the app will ensure confidentiality and can currently be operated in two languages - English and Hindi. The health ministry is expecting to reach more than 11 crore people across urban and rural geographies through the app.

The government is also planning to launch promotional advertisements for the app on television and radio. Besides, it will also use social media and you tube to popularize it.

"Once the app is popular among the youth, we will update it to include more information," the official said adding in future it can also be used to spread awareness about many other diseases and preventive healthcare measures.

"There is a gap between the estimated number of people living with HIV and those who have tested and know their status. It is critical that people know their HIV status early so that they can opt for treatment," he said.
 
The Times of India, 23 September, 2015, please click here to access

The Times of India, 23 September, 2015, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/Now-an-app-that-will-help-people-with-HIV/articleshow/49067938.cms


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