Hotline in Egypt marks change in government attitude to AIDS

AIDS Anal Afr. 1995 Oct;5(5):1.

Abstract

PIP: The first 24-hour AIDS hotline in the Arab world will open in Cairo, Egypt, in October 1995. The opening of the new service marks a change in attitude on the part of the Egyptian government, which has maintained a discreet AIDS control program in the past. Approval from religious leaders was necessary for the new program to begin; the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) played a prominent role in negotiations. The "Counsel and Hot Line Centre," which will be based in Imbala district, will employ 19 people, including two doctors and two psychologists. The Centre was funded with US$300,000 from the Ford Foundation. Currently, 478 persons with HIV infections and 110 people with AIDS have been reported. The ministry estimates that there are 5000-7000 persons with HIV infections in Egypt. Although these figures were greeted with suspicion by organizations outside of Egypt, subsequent testing has indicated low prevalence rates for this country, despite high tourism and a large population of migrant workers.

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome*
  • Africa
  • Africa, Northern
  • Ambulatory Care Facilities
  • Counseling*
  • Developing Countries
  • Disease
  • Egypt
  • HIV Infections*
  • Health Planning
  • Middle East
  • Organization and Administration
  • Virus Diseases