HIV/AIDS Consultation Room - Asia Pacific Region

This programme uses information and communication technology (ICT) to create an interactive support process for those with questions or needs related to HIV/AIDS. Specifically, users visit a page on the YouandAIDS website called Consultation Room. A note there indicates, "You may write in for help in counseling and treatment guidance and legal redress. The answers will be posted in this section. However, please note that the answers are only to provide support and guidance and not to replace the need for personal consultation with qualified professionals." This page is divided into 3 sections: legal assistance, counselling, and treatment. In order to pose a query, users select a category and then click on a red box to ask questions. Submitting one's name and email address is optional. Alternately, those with slow connections may send their questions via email (to consultation@YouandAIDS.org).

Once questions are posed, specialists will post the answers in the same space within 24 hours. Interactions that have already been completed - questions and answers - are archived on YouandAIDS website so that others may have access to information and advice that have already been offered.

HIV/AIDS.

Organisers define the Asia Pacific region as including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, DPR Korea, India, Iran, Lao PDR, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, the Republic of Korea, and Sri Lanka.

They explain that "Information is the first line of defence against HIV and when backed by services, it helps prevent infections and support those who are infected and affected". To that end, the UNAIDS Inter Country Team (South Asia) first created the YouandAIDS website in an effort to address the information and services needs of the region, and to act as a regional platform to synergise multisectoral responses against the epidemic. The portal also seeks to promote networking, strengthen advocacy, and catalyse civil society responses to HIV/AIDS.

This "Counseling Room" initiative is an expansion of the consultation services already available on YouandAIDS and is part of an agreement between WHARF (Wockhardt HMI HIV/AIDS Education and Research Foundation) and UNDP Regional HIV and Development Programme, which promotes the portal along with other partners including civil society organisations and people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) networks. Organisers explain that "The service is being expanded in view of the increasing demand for anonymous, reliable and confidential information and serviceson HIV/AIDS in the Asia Pacific region."