Commonwealth Games athletes will have 24x7 access to condoms

The delayed preparations for the Commonwealth Games has not deterred the health authorities from planning to install around 150 condom vending machines at the Village and stadia to “ protect” the athletes from HIV/ AIDS. As part of an initiative undertaken by the Delhi AIDS Control Society, the machines will be installed at the Games Village, outside stadia, in common markets like Sarojini Nagar and Janpath, and at various hotels.

Though condoms are available at chemist shops, the aim was to ease access to protection on a daily basis, an official from the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) said.

“Talks are on with the Commonwealth Games authorities,” the official said. “ Besides, we are seeking permission from various hotels to install condom vending machines.” A government programme to increase the availability of condoms in high risk and rural areas is also in the works.

The NACO on Monday launched the third phase of the condom social marketing programme for 2010- 2011, with plans to set up eight lakh outlets for selling condoms — of which five lakh will be non- traditional outlets like paan shops, grocery stores, kirana shops, dhabas, auto workshops and barber shops.

Condoms would be procurable at the low rate of Rs. three- five for five pieces at these outlets.

NACO is also using social marketing organisations to distribute condoms at railway stations, bus stops, truckers halt points and highways.

While the programme had covered 294 districts in phase two, the third phase will address 370 high priority districts in 26 states across the country — accounting for 83 per cent of the total population.