Muktaa HIV/AID Helpline was started in Oct 2005 with the vision of “TO MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE EPIDEMIC OF HIV AND AIDS”. We have taken more than 55,000 calls-geniune calls.To begin with it was an imformation centre for anything and everything regarding HIV/AIDS and STDs. As HIV transmission and sexual health are closely connected, the helpline started talking about healthy sexual behaviour to curb the spread of the disease. We talked about ABC -Abstinence, Behaviour modification and Condoms in a very scientific and non-judgemental manner. Our counsellors make action plans with the caller to help them adapt safer sex method. It involves strategies to reduce number of partners, have a faithful single partner, de-addiction counselling, counselling for depression, suicidal case counselling, positive life style methods adaptation, etc.

Caller about age of 58, married with two children.He stays alone due to his occupation.Caller was under peer influence and drunk.He commited animal sex one time.Due to this one exposure he got scared of getting HIV infected.Even after explaining all the scientific information it was hard for him accept that he is not infected.He kept on doing HIV tests for 6 months.Counselor helped him to deal with his fear,guilt,phobia.Caller was calling on helpline for 6-8 months.In this period his phobia was reduced to an extent.He was also advised to get psychiatric treatment.Caller was transfered to remote place aftre that.He called and thanked helpline for the support given to him.

Can I be HIV infected? a question from 28 years old married caller.The caller seemed to be very panicked as most of the callers are.He was a reputed businessman with a lovely wife.He was travelling for business and came in contact with a callgirl.It was protected sex.But when he came back in hometown he could not go home.He was in tremendous guilt and fear.He stayed in a hotel and searched on internet for information about HIV and AIDS.More he searched for information more he was confused.He got helpline’s number from net and called.
Counselor gave him scientific information, dealt with his fear.Counselor also helped him make constructive use of his guilt.After talking for 45 minutes he somewhat relaxed, agreed to go home.He also said to call back the day after, which he did.That call was merely for saying thanks and showing appriciation…

Dear
We cordially invite you for
Children and HIV- An Eye-Opener
A Program By Muktaa HIV Helpline, Pune, 2546 0102
14th November 2009, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
40 children die of HIV every day. More than 60,000 newborns are infected every year in India. Many more are affected by HIV. ‘HIV orphans’ are the most appalling face of this disease.
Who are these children?
Whose children are they??
Can we prevent more children from getting infected or affected?? ?
This Children’s Day, we at “Muktaa“ invite you to look at the issue of
“Children and HIV- Are our children at risk?”
Can we work towards ensuring an HIV-free childhood for our children? To find out, be there on the 14th of November for this program.
Special Invitees
Smt. Sindhutai Sapkal Chief Guest: Sindhutai runs organizations for orphaned children and deprived women including Sanmati Bal Niketan, Abhiman Bal Bhavan, Gopika Vanaushadhi Prakalp and Gopika Mahila Udyog. She has been responsible for bringing up thousands of orphaned children.
Dr R R Gangakhedkar (MBBS, DCH, MPH) – Speaker: Dr Gangakhedkar has been working on HIV/AIDS since 1989. He is senior research scientist at National AIDS Research Institute, Pune.
Venue: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan , 407-408, S B Road,
Pune, Maharashtra 411016 (near ICC)
Phone: 25657372
Muktaa HIV Helpline: An initiative by Maitri Trust, Muktaa is a phone based service where citizens can receive information on HIV and AIDS anonymously. Launched on 2nd October 2005, Muktaa has received more than 50,000 calls till date. Visit: www.muktaahivhelpline.org
B O O K Y O U R C A L E N D A R T O D A Y !

For 3 years I had been living a dead life after that mistake I did at Thailand. I believed I am HIV infected, till I called you . You convinced me to go for testing. THE TEST HAS COME NEGATIVE. YOU HAVE SAVED MY LIFE. NOW I CAN ENTER MY MARRIED LIFE WITHOUT ANY FEAR OF GUILT . THANKS A TON!!!

A grand program is being planned on 14 th Nov 2009 on Children’s day.There is a link between HIV and children- lets find out what .

A 35 year old lady identified herself as a repeat caller. She had called 4 months back when her husband was almost on the deathbed. She had gone to the centers suggested for critical care, but could not save her husband. Now she is left alone to look after her 2 sons aged 18 and 15. “My elder son has left his studies and taken a job as office boy. Younger one is in 10th but he just cannot concentrate on his studies. He is having a tough time. My world seems to be crumbling. I need to take care of myself. I have to survive for the sake of my children. I called you to say that I am using the services that you had referred last time, for myself. Thank you.”

HIV is not just a medical problem. It is a social, economic problem as well. The cycle is typical. First the earning male member starts fall ill, drops out of work and in many cases dies. The woman has no time to cope with the loss of her spouse. She has to worry about looking after the family, finding a job, taking care of her infection. As household savings are diverted to medical care, the children drop out of school and the family falls prey to debt. They sink towards destitution.

The woman’s determination to survive at all odds and secure a future for her family was truly inspiring for us at Muktaa.