KATHMANDU:

For the very first time Nepal will have a hotline for HIV/AIDS counselling.

According to a Global Plus press release, a counselling and communication skills training for

the National Hotline Service for HIV/AIDS was held from May 25 to 31 which was participated by 10 persons living with HIV/AIDS.

According to Ashish Shrestha, GM of Global Plus, the HIV/AIDS hotline service will begin from June 1. And as the hotline service will be toll free, the callers will not have to bear the cost of the call. Four counsellors who are people living with HIV/AIDS will be there to give advice to anyone who calls. Shrestha added that as this is a pilot project, it will be will a toll free number in Nepal only.

This is a joint projects of National Centre for AIDS and STD Control, World Health Organisation and Global Plus. — HNS