India's nodal AIDS control body, National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) on Tuesday launched an e- consultation to seek civil society groups' opinion/suggestions on the next phase of the national AIDS control policy (NACP).

The HIV prevalence rate in India at present is said to be around one percent, and there are nearly 5.1 million people battling with the deadly scourge in the country.

According to the UNAIDS India officials, the third phase of the NACP has to come into force from March 2006, and the suggestions/ opinions of the civil society groups would help them design the AIDS control program in a better way.

We have an opportunity to develop a plan that in the next five years will effectively control and reverse the spread of the epidemic that touches our lives in several ways. Over 950 Indian NGOs are already working with us in this fight. We need their input and experience to develop a plan that takes in consideration everyone's voice and concerns, NACO Project Director, S.Y. Quraishi, said Tuesday while launching the program.

This is the first time India will be consulting the whole civil society to input into its national AIDS control policy.

The e-discussion will be facilitated through Solution Exchange , an initiative of the United Nations Country Team in India that offers a forum for communities of development practitioners.

On request from NACO, experts appointed by the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) are moderating the dialogue.

Applauding the NACO initiative, UNAIDS Country Coordinator, Denis Broun said, A truly effective national response requires a truly participatory approach; the Indian government is setting an example for other countries by seeking direct participation of the whole community in its policy design endeavor.

The consultation will focus on several thematic areas such as prevention, care and support, community mobilization, etc. Issues emerging from the dialogue will not only stimulate discussions on the National AIDS policy but will also be used directly by the National AIDS Control Plan design team commissioned by NACO.