Sexual health helpline gets most calls from Delhi

The call centre was started by National Population Stabilisation Fund (NPSF) in 2008 with the objective of educating the youth in India’s most populous states. However,figures for the last two years show over 22 per cent of the calls are coming from Delhi.

“It is surprising as no direct publicity has been conducted in Delhi. It could be because the majority of youths in Delhi are sexually active,more inquisitive and have better access to technology. Another factor could be that the call centre is based in Delhi,” said NPSF executive director Dr Amarjit Singh,adding that he would,however,like to see a surge in the focus states.

The toll-free helpline has a question bank of over 550 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and has been developed by doctors from Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC),Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) and St Stephen’s Hospital.

According to NPSF data,India has over 590 million people in the reproductive age group and nearly 27 million children are born each year.

“There is a critical need to improve access to authentic information on reproductive and sexual health to young people. The main objective of the call centre is to give consistent information on reproductive health to fill the knowledge gap that has traditionally existed. We are targeting adolescents,about-to-be married youths and newly married couples,” added Singh.