Subcribers of Orange and VivaCell-MTS can send questions about HIV/AIDS to the special short number

Yerevan/Mediamax/. The Armenian Red Cross Society (ARCS) and U.S. Peace Corps have jointly initiated the “SMS information hotline” program. 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.

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.

“We deal with communication, and it is our prime responsibility to educate our community on one of the greatest evils of the century - the HIV/AIDS. We hope that this new initiative – the SMS helpline, will help prevent ignorance and alter dangerous behaviors that place people at risk of becoming a carrier of the virus from the very moment of birth. Let’s act responsibly – this is our call today to our youth. Life is too precious a gift for putting it at risk. I would also like to call on Armenian private sector to join to our initiative. If two telecom operators join hands in combating the evil, why other companies in other sectors can’t do the same?!”, said VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikyan.