It's Not Condom What's Needed To Fight AIDS: India's Health Minister

BANGALORE: Health minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan is an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist. He has affirmed in as the new union minister of health on May 26. Dr. Harsh Vardhan was Delhi’s health minister in the BJP rule from 1993 to 1998. He initiated the campaign against polio in Delhi and India has officially declared as polio free nation now.

In an interview given to The New York Times Dr. Harsh Vardhan told that he wants to promote AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) in the country.  He also told that he will try to emphasis the ancient tradition.

The first case of HIV in India was found in 1986 and now India has world’s third largest population suffering from HIV AIDS. According to Dr. Harsh Vardhan, use of condom helps to prevent AIDS but it gives a wrong message like “you can have any kind of illegitimate sexual relationship and it is not considered as illegal if you use condom.”  Indians can help to bring down the diseases under control only if their moral values are strong enough. He added that sexual relationship between husband and wife is a part of Indian culture and the campaign should uphold the Indian culture.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan has issued an order for the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) not to stress on the use of condom instead give importance to the morals to fight against AIDS.

NACO official V.K. Subburaj told that the idea of promoting moral values will not work in case of sex workers who are the major source of infection. The comment of health minister about the culture and the use of condom are not enough to deal with HIV.

Anjali Gopalan of Naz foundation told that educating people for safer sex might not always work but improper information about morality will be more destructive.