In response to the posting on the new hotline, the moderator has received the following response:

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"Yes, all questions will be answered, as much as feasible. The counselors answering to this number have been especially trained to answer MSM sexual health questions - but in no way is this meant as excluding other callers. Callers will not have to identify to any specific category - the point of the phone hotline is that it is anonymous -. Counsellors can answer questions coming from any person about HIV/AIDS, and they have also been trained not to answer when they do not know the replies. We hope the hotline will add to the available means of information in Myanmar and we are happy to get any feedback that will help improve the service.

Anne Lancelot
MDM general coordinator"

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It is a shame that the newspaper article made it appear that the hotline was excluding people. One hopes that phone counsellors will receive training on the issues important for people who use drugs.

[him] moderator