Condom-vending machines to be placed countrywide - Jeffrey Stabroek News August 6, 2000 Some 200 condom-vending machines to be placed strategically countrywide and legislation to protect persons infected with the Human-Immuno Virus(HIV)/Aquired Immune-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are among the plans by government to combat the epidemic. This was disclosed yesterday by Minister of Health and Labour, Henry Jeffrey, who was addressing the 150-odd persons who braved the rains to participate in a walk to launch the AIDS awareness programme 2000. Among the persons who participated in the walk from the National Cultural Centre were President Bharrat Jagdeo and Prime Minister Sam Hinds. According to Jeffrey, in terms of HIV/AIDS Guyana is at the "bottom of the line" compared to our Caribbean neighbours, and there is an urgent need "to act now." He noted that the mere fact that the participants had taken part in the walk was testimony to their "recognition of the problem." Addressing the participants, among whom were members of the Guyana Prison Service, Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Fire Service and employees of the National Bank of Industry and Commerce Limited, the Minister said that the government had initiated plans to fight the problem, involving the prevention of mother-to-child transmission and taking the fight to every workplace. As a result of government recognition of the problem, Jeffrey said, some 200 condom-vending machines had been ordered and these were to be placed strategically around the country for easy and private access. In addition, he said, his ministry was working on legislation designed to protect infected persons from discrimination. He stressed that the infected had rights too. In brief remarks, Chairman of the National AIDS Committee (NAC), Andre Sobryan, called on the government to place the HIV/AIDS problem on the agenda of every ministry. It is now "everybody's problem," he said. He told the participants to, "humble themselves and give God praise." "Talk of sex in a responsible way," he urged, "not in the rum shop." The walk started at about 6:30am from the National Cultural Centre (NCC), the participants wending their way south along Mandela avenue into Durban street, and from there into South road, then along Homestretch avenue and back again to the NCC. Follow the goings-on in Guyana in Guyana Today