Condom promotion joint responsibility of both men, women: Ramadoss

New Delhi, July 17 (UNI) Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss today said promoting the use of condoms was the joint responsibility of both men and women to check the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country.

''Use of condoms is the joint responsibility of both men and women. Condom promotion should be viewed holistically in view of its importance in reducing HIV/AIDS epidemic and preventing unwanted pregnancies,'' Dr Ramadoss told reporters when asked about his reaction to Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Chowdhury's comment that Indian men could not be trusted in their sexual behaviour and women need to get condoms to protect themselves.

However, Dr Ramadoss clarified that he was not in favour of creating a controversy by commenting on the statement of his cabinet colleague.

Underlining the importance of condoms in both preventing transmission of HIV/AIDS and reducing unwanted pregnancies, the Health Minister said Thailand reduced its HIV/AIDS prevalence rate (16 per cent) by 1.5 per cent to 2 per cent by effectively promoting the use of condoms.

He said the government through its social marketing schemes distributed 1.6 billion condoms last year and in the next three years it was planning to sell 3.5 billion condoms to the people.

He said a lot of measures were being taken for promotion of the contraceptive like condom vending machines being set up and ASHAs provided with condoms to supply them to women in the villages.

UNI