Fight against HIV/AIDS: India's first free condom store launched – This is how you can order from #FreeCondomStore

New Delhi: In a bid to reduce the incidence of new cases of HIV/AIDS in India, a global non-government organisation (NGO) has launched a free condom store in the country.

On its 10th anniversary, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) launched India's first 'Free Condom Store', under which individuals, NGOs, government, private institutions and community-based organisations can order as many condoms as they want.

India currently has the third largest HIV epidemic in the world, with 2.1 million people living with the infection in the country, as per UNAIDS Gap Report 2016. In the same year, an estimated 68,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses although India's HIV epidemic is slowing down overall, with a 32% decline in new cases of infection (86,000 in 2015), and a 54% decline in AIDS-related deaths between 2007 and 2015.

Hence, the AHF's initiative is seen as a significant step towards reduction of new HIV infections in the country.

Under the campaign, individuals and organisations can place orders by phone or email without any hesitation of social taboos or quality issues to get a supply delivered to their doorstep.

Dr V Sam Prasad, AHF’s director for India said NGOs working in the field of HIV/AIDS can avail of the service, which was launched on April 26.

AHF which claimed the initiative was the first of its kind said that their main idea is to support the NGOs trying to close the gap between supply and demand of condoms.

The NGO has also released a video showing a guy going around in Delhi asking individuals and couples whether or not they indulge in safe sex practices and use condoms. Check the video to see how people reacted.

Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha passed the HIV/AIDS (Prevention and Control) Bill earlier this month, ensuring equal rights to the people affected by HIV and AIDS in getting treatment, admissions in educational institutions and jobs.

The HIV/AIDS Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on March 21, 2017, 15 years after it was introduced in the legislature, which aims at safeguarding the rights of sufferers and protects them from discrimination.

To order from 'Free Condom Store', all you need to do is call toll-free number, 1800 102 8102 or drop an email to freecondomstoreahf@gmail.com.