The Himachal Pradesh government is considering a proposal to make test for HIV-AIDS compulsory for a couple before marriage. It was announced by state Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal. However he did not give any further details of the time frame required for implementation of the proposal.

 

Inaugurating a month-long state level AIDS awareness campaign initiated by an NGO, Ashadeep, in association with State Health and Family Welfare Department here yesterday (21^st December) Dhumal said no endeavour of the government would achieve its objective without the active support of NGOs and society.

 

Earlier in this year’s budget speech, the CM had stated that the state would undertake special endeavour for motivating the youth and make them more aware to undergo a test for HIV-AIDS before marriage. In pursuance of this objective the state launched a mobile AIDS awareness van which would go around colleges and universities in the state for counseling on the subject and also provide free testing facility for them.

 

At present the focus of the HIV-AIDS’ campaign in Himachal Pradesh is on awareness among youth in urban areas, with special emphasis on rural youth by connecting with them through Nehru Yuva Kendras.

 

Himachal Pradesh has about 477 cases of full-blown AIDS at present with 2,511 cases of HIV infection.