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This is an archive article published on October 4, 2012

Muktaa HIV helpline completes 7 years

To break the barriers of ignorance,fear and stigma,Samvad HIV Helpline was started in 2005 with one line and one counselor.

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To break the barriers of ignorance,fear and stigma,Samvad HIV Helpline was started in 2005 with one line and one counselor. Seven years later,they have dealt with 1.10 lakh genuine callers and have set up the largest helpline for people with HIV.

The helpline is operational in Maharashtra,Bihar,Jharkhand and Ahmedabad. Till date Samvad has reached out to over 1 lakh 30 thousand life people. Most of the callers are from the aged between 15 and 40,said Dr Madhu Oswal of the Muktaa Charitable Foundation. About 2.4 million people in India,aged between 15 and 49 have HIV/AIDS,the third largest with prevalence rate of is 0.31 per cent. Of these,an estimated 39 per cent are women and 3.5 per cent are children.

Callers are mostly students. With the AASHA and Sampark service we are getting more number of calls from women,illiterate and rural population,Oswal said.

In next 5 years,MCF plans to start similar service in other states such as Gujarat,Rajasthan,Orissa,Uttar Pradesh,Bihar,Delhi and West Bengal. Its other initiatives include Ankur (systematic disclosure of their HIV status to children living with HIV),AASHA (initiative to enhance adherence to HIV drugs in patients),Sampark (Free mobile service to helpline for rural and illiterate people),Call back service for desperate callers and SMS reminder service for ART refill.

MCF plans to add Tuberculosis helpline to the existing HIV helpline by the year end. Tuberculosis alone causes 1,000 deaths a day.

In India oral cancer has taken an epidemic form. MCF plans to train general practitioners in Pune in oral cancer and tobacco de-addiction. Tata Memorial Centre,Mumbai has agreed to be the academic partner in the initiative. Volunteers,donors and NGOs are appealed to contact the helpline at Samvad HIV Helpline 020-26381234.

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