Dharamsala: Tele-counselling centre for AIDS

June 28, 2005

Tele-counselling centre for AIDS

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, June 14

Counselling regarding AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases

can now be had by dialling toll-free number 1051 from a landline

phone.

The facility has been launched by the Urban Tribal and Hills

Advancement Society in collaboration with the State AIDS Control

Society.

Mr Ramesh Mastana, director of the society, said a computerised tele-

counselling centre had been set up in their office in Jawahar Nagar.

As per the figures available till 2004 end, a total of 1,130 HIV

positive cases had been identified in the districts of Kangra,

Hamirpur, Shimla, Bilaspur and Mandi. In Kangra district, there are

251 cases of HIV positive and 45 of AIDS.

In case the caller is not satisfied, he or she can seek counselling

in person at the centre. The society will also launch a programme in

schools aimed at putting the doubts of students to rest.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Bharat Khera, speaking at a function

organised by the Tibetan Health Institute Men-Tse-Khang yesterday,

stressed on the need for launching an aggressive condom promotion

campaign to stop the HIV virus from spreading.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr K.L. Gupta, said as many as 903 AIDS

awareness camps would be organised throughout the district.

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