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Indian Couples Need to Take Compulsory AIDS/HIV Tests

In an attempt to counter the escalation of AIDS/HIV in a country with the highest instances of this disease the world, the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is proposing new legislation. The law will make it compulsory for couples who seek to marriage to first undergo an AIDS/HIV test. Authorities hope that this will make more people aware that they have the disease and prevent mothers from passing it on to their unborn children.

Andhra Pradesh is one of the worst hit states in India and its health officials have been working around the clock to try and counter the frightening statistics. One of the main reasons why AIDS/HIV is on the rise in India is because of the stigma involved and the general lack of awareness regarding the disease. Officials are hoping that a public health campaign and the new legislation will stem the tide.

As part of the public campaign, the state?s health minister said that all members of the legislative committee, staff and security personnel would take an AIDS test in the coming weeks. The results of the tests would not be publicized but authorities hope that the simple act of taking the test would bring about more awareness to the problem. Opposition groups to the state?s ruling body backed the latest legislation calling for engaged couples to be tested.