Where it started
The AIDS Helpline was initiated by the National Department of Health’s “HIV/AIDS, STD’S and TB Directorate” in 1991. The objective of the line was to provide national, anonymous, confidential and accessible information, counselling and referral telephone service for those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.
In 1992 LifeLine Southern Africa was approached by the Department of Health to operate the service, as LifeLine was one of the few nationally available telephone counselling services at that time. LifeLine took over management of the Line by rotating it between the then sixteen existing community-based LifeLine Centres, and manning it with volunteer counsellors. In 2000, the Line was centralised at LifeLine’s Braamfontein Counselling Centre.
Minister of Health Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, at the Official Opening of the National AIDS Helpline, July 2001
Towards the end of 2004, the National Department of Health approached LifeLine again, and the request this time was to extend the AIDS Helpline to include the anti-retroviral treatment support line (Treatment Line). This was aimed at improving the services of the AIDS Helpline so that the Line could contribute to the Government’s Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Plan, as well as improving accessibility to anti-retroviral servicesthrough information giving and education (by highly-trained Professional Nurses) to other clinicians in need of such a service.
Where we are now
The development and adoption of the National Strategic Plan (2007-2011) sees the scene set for major advances in support of those in our society who are the poorest and most vulnerable to HIV infection. There seems to be a new focus in every province and in all sectors. Awareness campaigns, institutional adjustments, strengthening partnerships and pragmatic scale-ups are taking place as never before. We are proud to say that the National AIDS Helpline has made, and still is making, a major contribution in all these processes.
The National AIDS Helpline has developed and grown to be one of the most important intervention strategies in the country, and an example of a best practice model in terms of partnerships between civil society and Government.