HLL Lifecare (HLL), a large manufacturer of contraceptives, has decided to associate with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to make available male and female condoms at its sprawling spick and span stations across the national capital.
Kerala-based HLL, a Central PSU of Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, will also provide its array of products like sanitary napkins, oral contraceptive pills, deodorants and Ayurvedic products (joint pain cream and hair oils) — through vending machines.
The first multipurpose vending machine was inaugurated by Lov Verma, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, at Central Secretariat Metro Station. Dr M Ayyappan, Chairman and MD of HLL, and Gautam Guha, Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser, Ministry of Health, were also present.
“This is a novel initiative of making available contraceptives and other healthcare products to the commuters of Delhi Metro,” said Verma after the launch. “I’m sure this will further strengthen Government of India’s initiatives towards stabilising population,” he added.
Delhi Metro is India’s first modern public transportation system, operating about 2800 services every day with its daily ridership averaging 24 lakh commuters. Such an initiative will be a surefire attraction for the travellers to replenish their stocks of contraceptives even if they miss their date with a chemist’s shop or government dispensaries.
Dr Ayyappan said HLL would, in the first phase, install 25 vending machines at 21 metro stations. “Our endeavour is to make condoms, sanitary napkins, deodorants and contraceptive pills available to the commuters of Delhi Metro, who can avail this facility while on move. It will also contribute to social issues of family planning, HIV/AIDS prevention and women hygiene leading to their overall health,” he pointed out.
Operated by Instago, a leading vending company in India, the fully automatic multipurpose vending machines dispense the product at the press of a button after inserting Indian currency. A unique feature of the machine is that it accepts all Indian currency, both in paper and coin forms. It also returns the excess credit, if any, inserted by the user.
The machine uses ‘Vend Sensor’ wherein if the user fails to get the product due to any reason, he/she will get the money back. HLL also plans to install two electronic vending machines for sanitary napkin and condoms in corporate offices, schools and college washrooms, and various other public locations to make these products available for the people.
“The need for making condoms at the right place, right time and with minimum of embarrassment calls for an innovative method of condom distribution. Multipurpose condom vending machines are a novel way to address this situation,” Dr Ayyappan said.
EH News Bureau
