On World AIDS Day, Mizoram launches free condoms distribution
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State’s HIV prevalence amongst individuals aged 15 to 49 years is 2.04%, nearly ten instances the rational common of 0.22%
Mizoram, the State with the very best HIV/AIDS prevalence price in India, launched a drive on Tuesday involving bike and taxi associations for distribution of free condoms to beat the “other pandemic.”
The Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS) launched the ‘free love condom’ marketing campaign named Love Brigade with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) within the State capital Aizawl to mark World AIDS Day.
Data with the MSACS present Mizoram’s HIV prevalence amongst individuals aged 15 to 49 years by October 2019 was 2.04%, nearly ten instances the rational common of 0.22%. The States’ annual new HIV an infection price was 1.32%, about 20 instances the nationwide common of 0.07%.
Two different north-eastern States — Manipur and Nagaland — observe Mizoram in that order.
Lalthlengliani, undertaking director of MSACS stated the Love Brigade marketing campaign was a collaboration between the society and the bike and taxi associations for distributing free condoms to their purchasers in a “non-stigma approach” whereas using with them. Mizoram was one of many first States in India to start out two-wheeler taxi service.
“The Love Brigade will be trained in HIV/AIDS counselling, would give out the details of free HIV testing initiatives of MSACS and share pamphlets with prevention messages to create awareness among the masses,” Dr Lalthlengliani stated. “To begin with, 500 bike taxi riders and car taxi drivers will be selected and branded as Love Brigade and they in turn wILL distribute the free love condoms to their clients.”
R. Lalthangliana, Mizoram’s Minister for Health and Family Welfare admitted that the COVID-19 pandemic compelled the federal government shift to focus from HIV/AIDS, which he termed the older, different pandemic.
“The fight against HIV is not yet over, and we need to focus our energies back on HIV prevention, care, and support and treatment services. The government of Mizoram is committed to re-anchoring the services with renewed focus and vigour so that our citizens get the maximum benefit of HIV interventions,” he stated.
Mizoram has been selling the usage of condoms since 2018. Strategies embrace set up of free condom pull-out kiosks in busy market areas and displaying 30-foot inflated condom balloons.
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