[UgaBYTES] Telecentre gives hope to People living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda

[Betty Iyamuremye]

Support on Aids and Life through Telephone helpline (SALT) is a centre
through which People Living With HIV/Aids (PLHAs) are counseled and guided
online.

The telecentre that was formed in 2003 by Uganda Aids Commission under the
National Forum for PLHAs Networks in Uganda (NAFOPHANU) caters for PLHAs
under stigmatization, as well as those that are too sick and therefore
cannot reach health centres.

Samuel James Kibanga, National Coordinator, NAFOPHANU in an interview said
discrimination and stigmatization against PLHAs is mainly caused by
HIV/AIDS being a life-threatening disease, and religious or moral beliefs
that portray HIV/AIDS as a result of moral fault (such as promiscuity or
'deviant sex').

“Given the fact that stigma still lives in our society today, many people
fear to access health and counseling centres in Uganda such as The Aids
Support Organisation(TASO), Joint Clinical Research Centre(JCRC),” Kibanga
added.

When asked about the effectiveness of the centre, Kibanga said that PLHAs
who access the centre are grateful and have out it to greater use. He said
the patients dial 0414-272080 or 0414-272082 to seek help from three well
trained and professional counselors on a daily basis.

On average, 20 patients access the centre every day. Stella Akentutso,
Programme manager, NAFOPHANO highlighted the challenge of high costs of
airtime used by the patients. “We are looking at a time when we can
provide toll free services,” she said.

She added that though the services are quite expensive for patients, they
have managed to change lives of PLHAs especially those that are
stigmatized.

Discrimination has spread rapidly, fuelling anxiety and prejudice against
the groups most affected, as well as those living with HIV or AIDS which
remains an enormous barrier to effectively fighting the global epidemic.