A disastrous AIDS policy from MDACS

[Guest guest]

This refers to the news on " Lack of free condoms sparks concern " It happens that

while the free supply of condoms are deteriorating in numbers the Government

suddenly cuts down the supply and the NGOs are in trouble

The following needs to be kept in mind while dealing with a major aspect of

condom supply, condom accessibility and condom distribution, which is one of the

major aspect of Behavior Change Communication(BCC) process:

* While dealing with condoms there needs to be a clear understanding between the

NGOs and the Govt.. in the proposal and sanction stage so that the implementing

NGO gets themselves prepared for the weaning away process. It needs to be

implicated within the project.

* Even within in the project substantial resources should be available for the

NGOs to work with the condom manufacturers, stockists and the clients, to

increase the demand, accessibility and usage for the product before weaning away

from free supply. Until that happens it appears to be a clear wastage on the

part of the govt. to have already supplied the free condoms and a gap produced

on the part of the NGO without the promised condom supply of condoms and you

suddenly feel that the project has turned to square one.

(In this respect APAC/VHS/USAID has implemented a well planned condom strategy

which has worked out well in Tamilnadu. Today you find the NGOs slowly weaning

away from the free supply because they had been trained to do so during the

project period with operational strategies for condom supply through regular

sales. Today the condom manufacturers and stockiest in Tamilnadu have regular

instant touch with the implementing NGOs for the enhancement of sales,

distribution and feed back with the NGOs. They work with excellent incentive

schemes etc)

* The Maharashtra Government should infact add a condom strategy to their

planning and kind of tackle the current situation with efficiency keeping in

mind not to loose the inputs that has been implemented by the NGOs so far rather

than have a sensitization workshop explaining the need to wean away from

condoms. It is worth pumping in money to add an aspect to condom strategy which

has to be worked out methodologically rather than free supply.Itis to be

realized that the Govt. or the NGOs cannot just like that make peo ple buy

condoms. Enough resources needs to be put in for the strategy.

* It is meaningless arguing over the costs of condoms and the NGO making a

profit over it since todays need is to see that good quality condoms are

available in plenty in the market, to moot the easy accessibility to the same,

to convince customers and the sex workers to consistent use of condoms

simultaneously through the BCC process.

* I think the Maharashtra Govt.should look into the above aspects and appoint an

able consultancy to the above matter and work on the grounds of efficient condom

strategy to improve the accessibility and usage simultaneously with the able

help of NGOs.

It would be further disastrous if the Mumbai Govt. just like that stop the

distribution of condoms with out working on the above necessities.

regards

Shyamala Ashok

E-mail: aabinand@...