Pre-marriage HIV test mandatory in AP

Andhra Pradesh is the first Indian state to make the couples take a mandatory HIV test before marrying. It has the country's largest number of HIV cases - 1.5 million of India's 5.7 million people living with HIV/AIDS. The state's Health Minister stated that since condoms were not too popular, they had to consider tough measures like HIV testing before registration of weddings. He also plans to ask lawmakers to sign a bill into law in the next session of the state assembly, expected to start in March. But UNAIDS, the United Nations agency fighting HIV/AIDS, said such a move was not the way forward. "Compulsory testing will not work", said UNAIDS India chief Denis Broun. People would buy fake HIV-negative certificates, which could result in serious social and health consequences for couples and their families. He added that the government should focus on providing free pre-marriage counselling on a range of issues, including health instead. But the state officials disagree. While opening a HIV testing camp for elected representatives in the state assembly, the Chief Minister of the state also agreed to the pre-marital testing and stated that it will be morally good if both the men and women undergo a HIV test before getting into wedlock.