1099: A new helpline in Patna: A Bihar success story !

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum members,

Just yesterday, AASRA Patna had the privilege of receiving our

very own special counselling number 1099.

Thanks to a very pragmatic team at BSNL, Patna, who cleared

away the red-tape, we are launching our personalised servive

for HIV/AIDS, sexuality counselling called LIVE AID with a

special 'hunt number' 1099 from the evening of May 20.

It will be run for a trial period of six months as a 12 hour

service. From Januray 2002, we hope to be able to run a

24 hour service.

The need for this service is because the computer operated

1097, is not very popular with clients in Bihar. LIVEAID is

a project of AASRA, unlike the 1097 [HIV Helpline] and

1098 [Childline] which are projects partnered by NACO and

the Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment respectively.

AASRA aims provide to provide gender and sexuality sensitive

counselling, as well as follow up for HIV positive people and their

families. the accent will be on management of HIV related

conditions within the home itself; while we will be networking

with hospitals, drug manufacturers, and concerned individuals

to help positive people access ART at affordable rates.

With just 16 days elapsing from the time we filed our application

for a phone and met BSNL officials, it seems unbelievable that we

got our phone installed and a special number allotted. In Bihar,

where people consider themselves lucky if they get a phone after

a wait of three months, all we can say is that we are blessed with

a very sensitive and responsible area manager, general manager and

principal general manager. Our friends in CHILDLINE gave us

invaluable help on official procedure.

Krishner

Chief Coordinator

AASRA, patna

E-mail:aasra@...