7 years, but stingy NACO has no penny for female condoms

NACO has not provided anymoney to the city's Aids Control Society for distribution of female condoms for7 yrs despite the state slipping big time in execution of the scheme

In four years, the number of HIV-infected people in the state has increased by 116 per cent despite several target intervention (TI) schemes. And perhaps the biggest fail ure of the state is in the implementation of female con dom scheme. Reason: National Aids Control Organisation (NACO) hasn't provided a single penny to AMC's Aids Control Society (AMCACS) since its inception seven years ago.

According to NACO's official website, AMCACS is responsible for effective implementation of TI which helps in controlling the spread of infection among the vulnerable groups in the city. Female sex workers, drug addicts and homosexuals top the priority list in the TI programme.

Big question: Who moved the condom vending machines?

Asmany as 11,000 CVMs go missing across the state; activists blame it onmismanagement and poor maintenance

The use-and-throw policy applies to condoms. But in Gujarat, it seems to be applying to the condom vending machines (CVM) as well. For, a total of 11,000 CVMs have gone missing or stolen from across the state.

Across the globe, condoms have played a major role not only in curbing the spread of deadly diseases like HIV and AIDS, but also in avoiding unwanted pregnancy. Hence, National Aids Control Organisation (NACO) in association with public sector Hindustan Latex Limited (HLL) came up with the idea of installing CVMs.