VietNamNet Bridge - To prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, Ho Chi Minh City authorities will provide free condoms in all hotel rooms in the city.

 

Photo for illustration.

According to Mr. Le Van Quy, Deputy Chief of the HCM City Social Evils Prevention Department, this program is suggested by the HCMC AIDS Prevention Committee in order to reduce the rate of HIV transmission through sexual contact in the city in 2013.

The HCM City People's Committee has agreed to expand the "100% condom program" in all hotels to increase the availability of condoms and to prevent HIV transmission through sexual contact.

Earlier, the HCM City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism was committed to promoting the propaganda program on HIV/AIDS prevention and supply condoms to more than 1,500 hotels and motels that serve tourists, managed by the Department. However, representatives of these hotels and motels worried to be fined if they publicly provide its customers with condoms.

In this regard, Mr. Quy said that the police only impose fine when hotels and motels are related to sex rings or conceal prostitution.

The HCM City AIDS Prevention Committee has confirmed that the purpose of the 100% condom program is making condoms available for the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases rather than encouraging social evils.

According to the agency, the program has helped considerably reduce the number of new HIV infections in many countries, especially Thailand. In Vietnam, some provinces such as An Giang, Can Tho ... have obtained much success from this program.

M. Lan