Date:02/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/02/stories/2005120221780300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

More condom vending machines to be installed throughout State

Staff Reporter

AIDS prevention society has placed order for 11,000 machines

100 machines installed in Sulabh toilets
Government urged to set up more Anti-Retroviral Therapy centres

Minister rejects plea for quota for people with HIV in government jobs

BANGALORE: The Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS) has placed an order for 11,000 condom vending machines, which will be installed throughout the State.

According to a behavioural research conducted by the organisation last year, more than 50 per cent of men have unprotected sex because they have to travel more than 20 minutes to buy a condoms. The society hopes to address this problem by installing condom-vending machines.

Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh inaugurated a condom vending machine at an event organised to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS. Apart from condoms, the vending machine delivers chocolates, chips and other snacks. KSAPS has installed more than 100 condom vending machines in Sulabh toilets and found the sale of condoms at these places to be high. Mr. Singh called for a mass movement to create awareness about prevention of AIDS among the rural populace. About the role of non-governmental organisations, Mr. Singh urged experts in the field to go to villages and remote areas to create awareness. There are 50,000 persons affected with HIV/AIDS in the State and five lakh persons estimated to be at high risk. Manjula, a woman with HIV, urged the Government to start more Anti-Retroviral Therapy centres.

Quota demanded

An angry Mr. Jaganathan, another person with HIV , went up to Health Minister N. Chaluvrayaswamy and demanded that the Government provide quotas in government offices for persons with HIV/AIDS. But Mr. Chaluvrayaswamy rejected this plea.