Condom machines to hit liquor shops and bars

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, July 16: Here’s a good news for the tipplers who tend to rush away straight to sexworkers forgetting to carry a condom with them. The hi tech machines called Any Time Condoms (ATCs)that doles out five condoms after insertion of a five rupee coin will soon hit most of the liquor shops andbars in the city. These machines `as part of the Condom Vending Machine project of the Hindustan LatexLtd under the administrative control of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare' were initially setup in thepan shops, medical shops and petrol bunks on the highway. After understanding the need of the condoms, Society for Education and Environment Development (SEED), an NGO working with the Family WelfareDepartment for identifying hot spots for these condom needs, had taken an initiative to install thesemachines in the bars and liquor shops of the city."After a thorough research and surveys we have identified these liquor shops and bars as most vulnerableplace as they forget to carry a condom with them in that ‘condition’ so we thought of suggesting the barand liquor shop owners to install these machines at their places" said the secretary, SEED, V SanyasiRaju. Till now around 350 such ATCs were installed in the city at various places and in some liquorshops. Very soon they will hit all the other bars and liquor shops. He added that most of the owners hadagreed to keep a machine with them. The caretaker of the machine will get a rupee on every five rupeeinserted as charges for using his premises.One can get a wallet with 3 moods condoms of premium quality after inserting three five rupee coins, awallet of extra time condoms with 2 five rupee coins and Ustaad brand condoms with 1 five rupee coin.The AP State Aids Control Society has been promoting the condoms not only as a protective measure forthe HIV/Aids but also as a tool for family planning. "Our aim was that the condom should be readilyavailable for anyone whether it is used for protection from the dreaded virus or for family planning.Earlier we used to keep manual boxes supplying free condoms. Now these ATCs that work automaticallyare user friendly and are giving good results. Condoms are always safe especially these machines are veryuseful for the people in inebriated conditions" said the Nodal Officer of Aids Control Society and Districtleprosy Officer, Dr P Rajendra Prasad. The condom usage has gone up from 2 percent in 2002 to 60percent now.