“Hot Line” on hiv/aids launched for the subscribers of vivace-mts and orange Armenia
YEREVAN, October 21. /ARKA/. "Hot Line" sms-line on the issues of HIV/AIDS launched in Armenia in cooperation with the Armenian Red Cross Society (ARCS), Peace Corps, and the main operators VivaCell-MTS and Orange Armenia.
Subscribers of VivaCell-MTS and Orange Armenia can get answers to their questions regarding HIV/AIDS by sending free sms-message on the number.
“Practice shows that the countries where the society gathers its efforts in struggling against HIV/AIDS gain success. One of the options of such a consolidated struggle is our project and we welcome everybody who wants to join to this or other similar initiative”, said the Head of ARCS Mkhitar Mnatsakanyan to the journalists on Friday.
Due to the Armenian mentality, many residents of the country do not know how to behave themselves correctly, do not understand the seriousness of the illness and do not apply for consultation.
“In this case our ethnic characteristics and shame are an obstacle for applying to the doctor. Therefore, there was a need for advice anonymously”, said Mnatsakanyan.
In Armenia as of August 31, 1.1 thousand cases of HIV infection were recorded.
“In total, this figure is 33.3 million worldwide. It seemed that the disease is not so common in Armenia but it is very dangerous and we should think how to stop its growth”, he said.
VivaCell-MTS General Director Ralph Yirikyan said that HIV/AIDS is a great evil which every year takes away more and more lives.
“We must struggle together against it and not allow the disease to develop. Unfortunately, businessmen who are willing to invest money, is not sufficient. That is why I would like to call other companies for joining this project as much as they can”, he said.
Orange Armenia General Director Bruno Duthoit said that they were getting prepared to the launch of the hot line for a long time.
“Our participation in the project was conditioned by a number of reasons. First of all, it is implemented for public welfare in order to combat the terrible disease like AIDS. It is consonant with the approach of our company – use of technologies for the benefit of the society and this project provides us this opportunity”, he said.
With the help of Red Cross volunteers trained in the National Center of AIDS Prevention there is a
24-hour service to promptly respond the messages and an information site. Volunteers will also actively inform population on the program through social networks.
As of August 31, 2011, 1.1 thousand cases of HIV disease were registered in Armenia, of which 71.8% of infected (747 people) are men and 28.2% (293 people) – women. Among children 22 cases of the disease (2.1%) are registered. About 58% of infected are within the age group from 25 to 39. G.K.—0—
