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The Armenian Red Cross Society (ARCS) and U.S. Peace Corps have jointly initiated the “SMS Information Hotline” program since June 21st. The program aims to respond to the issue of public awareness about HIV/AIDS and reduce the spread of misinformation about HIV/AIDS, stigma and discrimination.

Starting from 21st October, subscribers of Orange and VivaCell-MTS mobile operators will have the opportunity to send questions about HIV/AIDS anonymously to the special short number 6428 (1 SMS costs 0 AMD) and within 24 hours they will receive a brief and accurate response.

The young volunteers, trained by the National Center for AIDS Prevention, will provide a 24h service in order to respond to the questions received through an interface software program in a timely manner as well as to upload information onto the specially designed website to provide additional information about HIV/AIDS and refer to other related links.

HIV, with its devastating impact and the disastrous scale of infection, has created an extreme situation in the world. In 1981 the first HIV case was registered in the USA and currently the HIV infection has spread throughout all continents and in all countries growing into a global epidemic. In 2009 there were already 33.3 million people living with HIV in the world.

The HIV/AIDS is an important issue for our republic as well. The registration of HIV cases began in 1988 in the Republic of Armenia. Between 1988 and 31 August 2011 1100 HIV cases were registered in the country among the citizens of the Republic of Armenia. Males represent the majority in the total number of HIV cases - 778 cases (70.7%) and females make up 322 cases (29.3%). 1100 reported cases include 22 cases of HIV infection among children (2%). 57.6% of the HIV-infected individuals belong to the age group of 25-39.

To inform the public about this new service a national information campaign will be implemented throughout the program duration; spreading flyers and posters, providing information via social networks, making announcements on radio and TV etc.

The program is implemented in cooperation with VivaCell-MTS and Orange mobile operators. Nikita Mobile LTD, “Radio Van” and “Ruskoe Radio” supports the program.