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U.S. Ambassador launches HIV Talkline.
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The U.S. Ambassador to Zambia, Carmen Martinez, On March
15, 2007 and Zambian First Lady Mrs. Maureen Mwanawasa kicked off the
CALL 990 Awareness Campaign, designed to promote the HIV Talkline. Since
its launch in December 2003, HIV Talkline has proven to be an effective
way for Zambians to learn more about HIV/AIDS.
The free telephone hotline offers confidential services which allow callers to speak openly without fear or shame. Callers speak directly to skilled nurse counselors who provide a range of information, including locations of voluntary counseling and testing centers and referrals to any clinic or hospital in the country.
Every caller receives individual attention tailored to
his or her specific needs.
Information is available on the Talkline in a number of local languages.
The 990 call center is managed by Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Management Program
(CHAMP), a not-for-profit organization.
Talkline is funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and is implemented with the help of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
The campaign supports Zambia’s National HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework and calls for widespread promotion of voluntary counseling and testing, abstinence, delayed sexual debut, and faithfulness to one partner.
In the past year, the U.S. Government has provided $149 million for HIV-related programs in Zambia. Since Talkline’s launch more than 420,000 people have called and over 123,000 Zambians have received services.
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