Srinagar, June 30 -- just over 4,000 confirmed HIV-positive cases in the region, but health experts caution that the reality is likely far worse. This is because, many don't visit health institutions for getting tested for fear of judgment, social exclusion, and even discrimination by medical staff. This silence is dangerous. People are being diagnosed late, when their immune systems have already deteriorated and are beyond treatment. What's more. They are also threat to the society as they can infect their partners, and may be others also.

So, the mobile testing vans are a good initiative. Equipped with kits and counselors, they bring services to people who would never walk into a clinic out of fear of being seen. But it is not so simpl...