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Compulsory HIV tests for couples Compulsory HIV tests for couples
(about 5 hours later)
The government of India's Andhra Pradesh state says a new law will soon make it compulsory for couples to take an HIV test before marriage.The government of India's Andhra Pradesh state says a new law will soon make it compulsory for couples to take an HIV test before marriage.
"Those who want their marriage to be registered should get the HIV/Aids test done," said health minister K Rosaiah."Those who want their marriage to be registered should get the HIV/Aids test done," said health minister K Rosaiah.
He was speaking as state assembly members underwent public HIV tests to encourage awareness of the virus.He was speaking as state assembly members underwent public HIV tests to encourage awareness of the virus.
India has the world's highest number of HIV infections, the UN says. Andhra Pradesh is one of its worst-hit states.India has the world's highest number of HIV infections, the UN says. Andhra Pradesh is one of its worst-hit states.
'Inspirations''Inspirations'
The Andhra Pradesh government says all staff and security personnel at the state assembly will have to take an Aids test. The results will not be publicised.The Andhra Pradesh government says all staff and security personnel at the state assembly will have to take an Aids test. The results will not be publicised.
We are in the process of passing legislation which makes it compulsory for boys and girls to get an HIV test done before marriage State Health Minister K Rosaiah We are in the process of passing legislation which makes it compulsory for boys and girls to get an HIV test done before marriage State Health Minister K Rosaiah href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5073&edition=1&ttl=20061219163907" class="">Send us your comments
It is not clear what the state government intends to do with the information it gathers.It is not clear what the state government intends to do with the information it gathers.
Chief Minister Rajasekhara Reddy was first to be tested before the cameras on Monday.Chief Minister Rajasekhara Reddy was first to be tested before the cameras on Monday.
"All MLAs [members of the legislative assembly] should get tested and become inspirations for other people in the state," he told reporters."All MLAs [members of the legislative assembly] should get tested and become inspirations for other people in the state," he told reporters.
Activists say one of the major problems in India's battle against HIV/Aids is lack of awareness about the disease and stigma associated with it.Activists say one of the major problems in India's battle against HIV/Aids is lack of awareness about the disease and stigma associated with it.
Officials in Andhra Pradesh hope the publicity campaign featuring politicians will help overcome this.Officials in Andhra Pradesh hope the publicity campaign featuring politicians will help overcome this.
The proposed mandatory HIV test for couples planning to marry is part of measures aimed at stemming the rise in infections in Andhra Pradesh.The proposed mandatory HIV test for couples planning to marry is part of measures aimed at stemming the rise in infections in Andhra Pradesh.
Health Minister Rosaiah said: "We are in the process of passing legislation which makes it compulsory for boys and girls to get an HIV test done before marriage."Health Minister Rosaiah said: "We are in the process of passing legislation which makes it compulsory for boys and girls to get an HIV test done before marriage."
Earlier in December he said most opposition parties in the state backed the proposal.Earlier in December he said most opposition parties in the state backed the proposal.
Details of the legislation and how it would be enforced are not clear.Details of the legislation and how it would be enforced are not clear.
It is estimated that between 500,000 and a million people are infected with HIV in the 78-million-strong population of Andhra Pradesh.
That puts the state second, behind Maharashtra which has the highest number of HIV-positive people in India.
Health officials expect that as more people come forward for testing they will gain a clearer picture of how many people are infected in Andhra Pradesh.