Kathmandu, February 12

With a motive of making people aware of the use of condom, International Condom Day is being marked by holding different programmes across the country tomorrow.

Organising a press meet yesterday, National Centre for AIDS and STD Control, along with AIDS Health Care Foundation and National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS informed that it would organise free HIV screening campaigns and distribute condoms free of cost. Orientation of key populations and youths on safe sex practices and condom use, e-rickshaw rally, quiz contest, games and puppet show will also be organised.

Free HIV testing service is being provided from February 9 to 14 in Baglung, Pokhara, Nawalpur, Birgunj Kapilvastu, Banke and Dhading among other places. Free condoms will also be distributed from these places.

Interaction/orientation of youths and key populations will be organised on February 13 in Teku Hospital and Bir Hospital in Kathmandu, Seti Zonal Hospital  and Tikapur hospital in Kailali, Doti Hospital in Doti, Lumbini Zonal Hospital, Bheri Zonal Hospital, Narayani Sub-Regional Hospital and Bharatpur Hospital.

Dr Pokhrel shared that 221,000 condoms had been distributed from different centres and hospitals this year. However, the data of Department of Health and Population show that only eight per cent people use condoms in the country.

“It is very necessary to make people aware of the importance of condoms and their safe use,” he shared, adding, “We have not able to make distribute and make people aware of the importance of using condoms.”

He said 70 per cent of budget allocated for NCASC had been spent on making people aware about prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. The government has recently received Rs 43 million global fund for condoms.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation Country Manager Dipak Dhungel said that condoms were still the cheapest and best option for preventing HIV, STDs and unwanted pregnancies, but due to lack of awareness very few people used it.