India Tuesday launched an e-consultation with civil society on the AIDS control programme.

This is the first time India will be consulting civil society for inputs into its national AIDS control policy, said S.Y. Quraishi, project director of National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO).

"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," said Quraishi launching the programme.

On a request from NACO, experts appointed by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) are moderating the dialogue on NACP-III (National AIDS Control Programme), which will see a scaling up of the anti-retroviral treatment, particularly for women and children.

India estimates that about 5.13 million people in the country have HIV/AIDS.

"Over 950 Indian NGOs are already working with us in this fight. We need their input and experience to develop a plan that takes into consideration everyone's voice and concerns," said Quraishi, seeking wider participation through registration on the UNAIDS India websiteUnaids.

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.

"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 endeavour," said UNAIDS country coordinator Denis Broun.

For consultations with civil society, 13 topics, including the rights of people with HIV/AIDS and women's issues, have been selected.

"The consultation will focus on several thematic areas such as prevention, care and support, and community mobilisation," said E. Mohamed Rafique, moderator of the NACP-III e-Consultation.