1097 Helplines, websites of NACO & MSACS

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum Members,

Today, I came across an advertisement on http://www.rediff.com/ by NACO,

advertising its National Helpline 1097. I wonder in how many states the helpline

has been functioning. In my last four years of work in Nagpur, I have seen the

helpline is not functioning at all.

We communicated with NACO who said that it is the responsibility of Maharashtra

State AIDS Control Society. When we contacted MSACS, they said it is the

responsibility of BSNL. Any answer from NACO?

Secondly, the website of the MSACS has been not functioning for a long time. The

authorities should realise that this is the best and most economical way to

communicate the strategies and plans of the society. Various publications can be

made available in Acrobat format for the use of general public. Even the calls

for proposals can be made available on the website.

The publication webpage of NACOs website has also been not updated for a long

time. Various publications are mentioned on the website, but shows that there

are under revision for a long time.

I do not understand how long it takes for them to revise and make it available

to the stakeholders.

I understand that NACO has developed guidelines for ICTC and some new

publications. Why don’t they make them available on the website. The

guidelines for the various programmes of NACO like DIC, TI projects are pretty

old. Are they revised? The newly launched NACP III phase document is still not

available on the website.

NACO & MSACS should understand the importance of updating the website. The

documents could help various stakeholders and NGOs working all over the country

to do their strategic planning.

Regards,

F. Borges

Programme Coordinator, HIV/AIDS

Advocacy and Care & Support

YMCA. 140, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Nagpur – 440 001, Maharashtra – INDIA.

Phone: +91-712-2524 834, 2548 789, 2540 024; Mobile: +91-9923414559

E-mail: peter.borges@...; Skype: peterfloriano; Website:

http://www.ymcanagpur.org