The National AIDS Helpline (0800-012-322) provides a confidential, anonymous 24-hour toll-free telephone counselling, information and referral service for those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.

Helpline was initiated in 1991 and is a partnership of the Department of Health and LifeLine Southern Africa. The Helpline, manned by trained lay-counsellors, receives an average of 3,000 calls per day, and is seen as a leading telephone counselling service within the SADC region.

Services Offered by the AIDS Helpline:

• Information: The Line creates a free and easy access point for information on HIV and AIDS to any member of the public, in all of the 11 official languages, at any time of the day or night.
• Telephone Counselling: trained lay-counsellors offer more than mere facts to the caller. They are able to provide counselling to those battling to cope with all the emotional consequences of the pandemic.
• Referral Services: Both the South African Government and its NGO sector have created a large network of service points to provide a large range of services (including Voluntary Counselling and Testing, medical and social services) to the public. The AIDS Helpline will assist the caller to contact and use these facilities.The National AIDS Helpline works closely with the South African HIV Clinician’s Society to update and maintain the Karabo Referral Database.
• Treatment Line: A specialised service of the AIDS Helpline, the Treatment Line is manned by Professional Nurses. They provide quality, accurate and anonymous telephone information and/or education on antiretroviral, TB and STI treatment. They also provide relevant specialised medical referrals to individuals affected and infected by HIV and AIDS in South Africa.