AP to enact law making HIV test mandatory before marriage

Hyderabad, Dec 23 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Finance and Health Minister K Rosaiah today announced that the government would enact a law in the next Budget session making it mandatory for every new bride and bridegroom to get tested for HIV before marriage.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Rosaiah said the government had taken this decision to check the spread of AIDS.

The government would organise an all party meet to seek suggestions from the party leaders.

Based on their suggestions, the government would prepare a draft policy to strictly implement the law by the end of January.

Stating that nearly 10 lakh HIV positive cases were indentified in the state, the Minister expressed the hope that the new law would curb further spread of AIDS.

Andhra Pradesh State Aids Control Society (APSACS) Director Ashok Kumar said the response from the people to participate in HIV test campaign 'Be Bold campaign' organized as part of the 'Worlds AIDS Day' was good.

He said as many as 305 persons, including Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, other Ministers, Opposition Party Leaders, MLAs and security personnel tested for AIDS/HIV at a health camp organised in the Assembly during winter session.

Of the 17,000 people so far tested in the state, three were identified HIV positive, he added.

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