Chandigarh, Nov 10 (IANS) To spread awareness about HIV/AIDS and the usage of condoms mainly among the most vulnerable section - truck drivers and their attendants, a van christened ‘Ustad Condom Van’ was introduced in the city Tuesday.
The van which will move across the city for the next 27 days is part of a condom promotion awareness programme, initiated by the union territory’s State AIDS Control Society (SACS) in association with the HLL Lifecare limited here Tuesday.

The programme was started with a special awareness camp organised at ‘transport area’ here in Sector 26 that is frequented by hundreds of truck drivers from various states.

“The main aim of this programme is to target the most vulnerable section which is truck drivers and their attendants,” Said Vanita Gupta, project director of SACS, Chandigarh.

She added: “Nukkad-natak (play) highlighting the ways how one can contract infection of this deadly virus and how to prevent it was shown to them. Our trained counsellors will accompany the van and they will clear all the queries of people regarding condoms and HIV/AIDS.”

According to official records of SACS, in the last three years both the number of deaths due to AIDS and the percentage of new HIV-positive cases has come down in Chandigarh.

“Arrangements have been made for free distribution of condoms at various locations of Chandigarh. Besides we also provide free medical services to HIV/AIDS patients in the city,” Gupta said.