B y Chioma Obinna

The growth of telephony in the country has been identified as a strong platform for increasing information dissemination on health challenges such as HIV&AIDS.

The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan who made the observation while commissioning the National Call Centre on HIV&AIDS and Related Diseases of the National Agency for Control of AIDS, NACA, further observed that the growth of subscriber base of telecoms firms in Nigeria provides a strong platform for using telephony to drive health awareness.

Jonathan who commended Airtel Networks Limited for its lead role in providing toll free lines for subscribers to call the Centre and access information on HIV&AIDS, stated: “I believe that the establishment of this National Call Centre will go a long way in strengthening our national response to HIV&AIDS, as is the case in other countries of the world, such as South Africa, the Philipines and India, who have used help lines and Call Centres successfully in the fight against the HIV&AIDS pandemic. ”

Airtel Nigeria is supporting the National Call Centre with toll free lines. The Centre is commencing with 30 agents ready to provide information, guidance and counselling to callers. All calls on a dedicated Airtel line 6222 are free.

With the commissioning, subscribers on the Airtel network will henceforth receive regular information on HIV&AIDS and other healthcare issues courtesy of a partnership between Airtel Nigeria and the National Agency for Control of AIDS Nigeria.

Airtel subscribers can also call the toll free line 6222 at the NACA HIV AIDS Call Centre to get information, advice and guidance on matters relating to HIV&AIDS.

Airtel’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. Rajan Swaroop said “Airtel is providing the backbone for the NACA National Contact Call Centre.

Represented by Mr. Femi Oyewole, Regional Director, North of Airtel, represented Swaroop, he recalled that the Airtel partnership with NACA began in 2005.

The Airtel Chief Executive affirmed that,”As far as this partnership is concerned, we are totally committed to ensuring the success of the National Call Contact Centre.

It is our role to ensure effective public enlightenment and education through firm commitment in scaling up existing efforts and concrete partnerships that will help millions of Nigerians access better information and referrals to service provision in healthcare delivery.

“At Airtel, we will also work with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS to send short messages concerning the deadly scourge to our subscribers nationwide.”

Swaroop lamented the sentinel survey 2011 results that show higher prevalence of HIV in some rural areas compared with urban areas. He called for more effort by telecoms firms to enhance the fight against the scourge by enabling provision of information to citizens particularly in rural areas.