Guest post by Cath Jenkin.

When faced with the reality of HIV/AIDS few people know where to turn for assistance. As a result, many who are infected/ affected by HIV/AIDS spend countless hours, travel many miles, and spend hard earned money in the hope of finding treatment or HIV support when such services might be provided by an NGO, FBO or Clinic in their area.

Knowing that there are countless HIV-related initiatives in SA with skills, expertise and the will to make a difference in the struggle against HIV/AIDS, we decided to do something about this – the result is HIV-911.

HIV-911 specialises in providing referrals to nearly 8 000 HIV/AIDS-related service providers in the country. In so doing, HIV-911 also creates networking opportunities for the HIV/AIDS Service Sector, allowing service providers to more effectively connect with one another and more easily locate and recommend supplementary support services for their clients.

We have tried hard to ensure that our database is accessible to all. It’s all very well to have a great database but for HIV-911 to be effective, we knew that we needed to create a stable of services which could connect people in the most remote places to the HIV-911 database. As a result, in January 2007 HIV 911 began operating a telephonic national data collection / referral line and in November 2007 we worked with the Foundation for Professional Development to launch the first provincial hard copy directory series, as well as a dedicated HIV-911 website with on line search functionality ensuring that no-one is excluded from receiving information on where to access HIV-related services.

To Access HIV-911:

  • view the directory online at www.hiv911.org.za
  • call the data collection / referral line on 0860 HIV (448) 911
  • order provincial directories
  • access HIV-911 via the National AIDS Helpline (+27 800 012 322)

HIV-911 is a free service.

Its been a busy year for HIV-911 – ten months since our launch all nine provincial directories are complete. Use of our on line database has grown substantially and we are currently enhancing our search functionality in readiness for Series 2! We aim to cover more ground, be more comprehensive and to truly give you hope and connection. We cannot wait to begin!