HIV testing and counselling services (HTS) have been a central focus of Nepal"s HIV response, serving as the entry point to comprehensive HIV care. These services, which began in 1995, were initially referred to as Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing (VCT) or HIV Testing and Counselling (HTC). The first-ever HTS program used the Client-Initiated Testing and Counselling (CITC) approach.

Over the years, Nepal has expanded its efforts to encourage HIV testing, particularly among key populations at higher risk, by providing services free of charge and aligning them with the 2022 National HIV Testing and Treatment Guidelines. To further increase testing uptake, Nepal introduced a community-based testing approach for key populations, following the 2017 National Guidelines on Community-Led HIV Testing. Community-led testing connects outreach programs to testing services and is implemented by both government and non- governmental organizations.

Additionally, Provider- Initiated Testing and Counselling (PITC) has been integrated into various health services, such as STI clinics, antenatal and childbirth centres, malnutrition clinics, postpartum care, family planning centres, and TB services to address TB/HIV co-infection. HIV testing and counselling services are available across all 77 districts of Nepal, ensuring nationwide access for both key populations and the general public. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) services began in February 2004 at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. ART is provided free of charge to all PLHIV. As of FY 2080/81, there are 85 operational ART sites and 45 ART Dispensing centres across 76 districts in Nepal.