Free HIV counseling for Etisalat subscribers

By Sola Ogundipe

Telecommunications company, Etisalat Nigeria, is boosting the drive to increase awareness of HIV and AIDS in Nigeria with the provision of a toll-free line for the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA’s National Call centre in Abuja.

Under the arrangement, subscribers on the network can call the centre for free to receive information and counseling on HIV and AIDS and related issues.  Etisalat Nigeria is also providing technical support and back-up for the seamless operation of the agency’s call centre in the war against HIV and AIDS.

Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Steven Evans, said in September 2011, the company decided to support the laudable work of the NACA especially in its National Call Centre initiative, with the aim of widening the scope of impact of the call centre by providing subscribers on the Etisalat network an avenue to call in, free of charge, and receive information on HIV and AIDS.

With this in view, he said, the company conducted a core physical survey of the NACA call centre to decide on the required equipment, procurement and deployment to the site for installation. A short code ‘6222’ (as simple as pressing “NACA” on a conventional phone keypad) has been configured on our network and confirmed to be working as toll-free, he added.

‘’As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility programme which is especially focused on health and education, Etisalat Nigeria  is indeed happy to be partnering with NACA for this unique cause as we are committed to helping shape and build communities, and improving livelihoods and aspirations for the future.

“We believe that our success can only follow the success of the people and economies we actively support. While our services and technologies keep customers connected, we also have initiatives that keep people safe and healthy and open doors for learning and exploring new opportunities,” Evans said.