Media Clip

Preparations Underway to Establish AIDS Resource Centers All Over the Country

The Ethiopia AIDS Resource Center announced that preparations are underway to establish AIDS resource centers in all the regions of Ethiopia, and to start an AIDS Hotline. The Center's Coordinator, Ato Gashaw Mengistu explained that the regional AIDS resource centers to be launched soon, and the toll-free Hotline service will enable the public to have easier access information on HIV/AIDS.

He announced that the regional resource centers will be established phase by phase, starting in Tigray, Oromia, Addis Ababa, Benshangul Gumuz, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples regions, and continuing to other regions. He added that the AIDS Resource Center is working to recruit staff and procure the necessary equipment, furniture and facilities for the establishment of the resource centers. Regional HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control offices (RHAPCO) will provide space for the establishment of the resource centers, and all other tasks for the establishment will be handled by the AIDS Resource Center and National HAPCO.

Ato Gashaw Mengistu, ARC Coordinator

Ato Gashaw also announced that the Ethiopian AIDS Resource Center is soon to launch anAIDS Hotline to provide information on HIV/AIDS. A Hotline is an anonymous, toll-free call-in service. As such, it is an effective way to provide callers with accurate information, counseling, and referrals to appropriate services or resources. The AIDS Hotline will allow people to access HIV/AIDS information without having to go in person to resource centers. The objective of the launching of the AIDS Hotline is to enable people to have adequate information on HIV/AIDS and thereby protect themselves and others.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), May 23, 2004.