"HOT LINE" ON HIV/AIDS LAUNCHED FOR THE SUBSCRIBERS OF VIVACE-MTS AND ORANGE ARMENIA
/ARKA/
October 21, 2011
YEREVAN
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.
/ARKA/
October 21, 2011
YEREVAN
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.