“Ihave tested HIV positive, how will I face my family?” asks
a voice fromDubai on telephone. From a clean basement in a dingy building here,
acounsellor answers the question.
Counsellors at PopulationService International (PSI) also guide AIDS patients
from China,Singapore and the Gulf on how to live a better life.
"Since sexis a taboo topic, people prefer talking to a counsellor over phone
thanface to face. We sincerely protect the identity of the caller and,through
non-judgmental tele-counselling, increase his comfort level todiscuss his
concerns," said Kalpana, a counsellor with thephilanthropic body.
“We develop a risk reduction plan andmotivate them to go for voluntary
counselling, testing services andfollow a sincere medicine and good nutrition
habit," she told IANS.
AnirbanaMitra, senior programme manager of PSI, said an HIV/AIDS advocacygroup,
Hero's Project, had promoted PSI's number through Star TVbouquet whose channels
are beamed in several countries.
“Because of promotion we have been getting calls from outside. Most of the
callers are people who have some connection with India. We have even received
calls from the United States and Pakistan,” Mitra said.
He, however, said that a majority of the calls were from India. The helpline
022-23892222 gets nearly 25 calls a day. The general age group of callers is
18-45 years.
Currentlyoperational six days a week, the helpline provide health
informationand counselling on issues like HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted
diseases,contraception and safe sex practices.
Kalpana said all kinds ofpeople – from daily wage labourers to executives –
call it and ask allkinds of questions. She said many people are not aware about
the causeof HIV/AIDS and ask question like “I know kissing cannot get
mepregnant but can I get AIDS? I am not sure.”
She said the callers talk openly about their family and relationships.
“It’sreally tough to listen to so many sad stories but as counsellors wegive
them proper guidance so that they can live happily or at leastwith less
suffering.
“We never disclose the identity of ourcallers. We give everyone a code number
and whenever he calls forfurther assistance, the counsellor concerned talks to
him or her,” sheadded.
India has over 2.5 million HIV/AIDS patients.
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