AIDS – a global problem, a global challengeand response. In the absence of medical defences against AIDS, a mass educationand counselling services are main weapons in the fight against HIV/ AIDS in adeveloping country like India. I.C.M.R and WHO suggests that more than onebillion of Indian population are HIV – Positive (0.7%) with 3.9 millionpositive cases. One of the key components in strategy to prevent HIV –infection and to provide care to the persons with AIDS in counselling. It is anclient centred interpersonal therapy.

Counsellingcan be useful to seropositive persons, AIDS- victims and their family members. Counselling helps in community awareness, to establish legal and human rightsof the AIDS patients and to overcome stigma and prejudices.

144 HIV –seropositive patients were referred to the Dishari Counselling Centre. Casehistories and clinical along with psychological evaluation was done. G.A.F andB.P.R.S were used. Individual and group counselling done according to the needfor 3 months. 16 HIV patients used to attend Medical College regularly alongwith counselling.

GAS andBPRS shows 30% improvement. Detailed result will be discussed in presentation.

In a developing country like India, with secondhighest population, counselling is important method to increase self – relianceand self esteem of HIV – Positive persons. It helps the seropositive and HIVpatients to understand the necessity of protecting themselves and familymembers.