Goa now has a AIDS HELP-LINE (1097).

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Documented by Goa Desc Documentation Service
& circulated by Goa Civic & Consumer Action Network
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RISHTA AIDS HELP-LINE (1097) LAUNCHED IN GOA
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If you want to know all about the human immuno deficiency virus (HIV)
and acquired immuno deficiency syndrome (AIDS), just dial 1097.

With Goa getting the AIDS telephone help-line, from the December 1st,
residents of the sunny paradise state can know all about one of the largest
silent killers of the world by dialing the above telephone number and
that too from their homes free of cost.

Installed on the premises of RISHTA (RISHTA is a support group for people
affected with HIV/AIDS especially for those in the North Goa tourist belt
from Anjuna to Candolim) , the hotline has been set up by the (GSACS)
Goa State AIDS Control Society with the help of a special grant provided
by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Ministry of Health
and Family Welfare, New Delhi.

The purpose of the hotline is three fold
-To provide the latest correct information on HIV/AIDS including
  testing services locations
-To encourage behavioral change through counselling
-To provide psychological support to the people and families
  affected by HIV/AIDS.

Explaining the working of the hotline Mrs. Sofia Caldeira Head of RISHTA ,
said all one had to do was to dial 1097 from any phone in Goa. It is
supposed to be Toll Free courtesy of BSNL from all phones
(At present it is free through STD booths and Land Lines but there
are some teething problems on coin phones and mobile phones).

Counselors are fluent in four languages English, Konkani, Hindi and
Marathi. Besides the clients can also avail of the drop-in-centre for
face to face counselling between 9am to 5pm on weekdays.

Mr Karl de Sousa who is the coordinator of the help-line claimed
that counselling through the hotline was a better option since it maintained
the confidentiality of the caller and helped him/her open out and express
doubts freely. He, however, added that although mainly queries related to
HIV and AIDS were entertained and people wishing to get information
only on these topics should use this facility they also answers questions
about sexual problems and STDs.

``Without really promoting promiscuity, we try and answer all questions
related to sex,'' says Karl. ``The idea is to promote a safer lifestyle and
be more responsible,'' he says.

With UN estimates putting the rate of HIV infection in India at 3.5 million,
NACO is hoping this help line will become a prime force in preventing the
spread of HIV infection. Initially, RISHTA expects many of the callers to
make blank calls.

``They may be hesitant to talk about the subject and put the phone down
without waiting for an answer. However, after two to three calls, they slowly
gain enough confidence to approach the issue,'' says Karl.

Some of the callers may be the``worried-well'', who don't have HIV infection
but are worried that they may get the infection. ``Such callers just need
to be told of the modes of transmission and be reassured that as long
as they have safe sex and are faithful to one partner, HIV most likely will
not affect them, of course if they have doubts they can get tested
at any of the Health Centres for Rs 10 only '' says Karl.

The first 1097 project under this help-line has been functioning in Delhi
since October 1997. Telephone counselling facilities have also been set up
in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Calcutta and other main cities.
At present the line will be available on weekdays from 9am to 7pm
and on Saturday from 9am to 1pm. Later on the system will be enhanced
to operate 24 Hours with the help of IVRS.

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Documentation + Education + Solidarity
11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507
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                      website: www.goadesc.org
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