The free condom dispenser has already supplied two hundred condoms since its installation in Danang one week ago.
Mr. Nguyen Van Long, who lived in Danang, expressed his great interest in the dispenser installed in front of the Hai Chau District Youth Union, at 180 Hoang Dieu Street. He said: "This is a valuable initiative which is convenient and easy to use. It helps eliminate their shyness in obtaining contraceptives.”
The dispenser is simple in structure. It is a 20 cm high and 15 cm wide steel box with a counter and a speaker. At the front is a small screen displaying the number of condoms available.
Free condom dispenser
There is a small slot for cash donations to help finance the machine’s operation. It automatically dispenses free quality condoms with the press of a button and can operate for about two to three days before its battery needs recharging. It automatically alerts its operators via text messages when it runs out of condoms and tracks the quantities and time used for statistical purposes.
This was a science project of six students of the DTU Faculty of Electrical Engineering creating for the “Social Venture Plan” competition, which DTU organizes together with other leading universities in the central region. Nguyen Cong Tin, team leader, said that the dispenser was designed to relieve embarrassment and reduce unwanted pregnancies or abortion.
The team started work in October 2015 and faced many hurdles finding time and spare parts.
DTU inventors
User receives one condom each with the message “Thank you for using our service”. On the left is a slot to insert money to support the initiative, when the user receives a message saying “Thank you for supporting our program”.
“The most important part was building the circuitry. The components were not readily available, so we had to manufacture them ourselves. Also, the project coincided with our university exams, so we had to find extra time for it, often working through the night,” Tin explained.
Two hundred condoms have been supplied since its installation one week ago. Tin said: "Since installation, there is an obvious demand for dispenser and if our experiment succeeds, we hope that the government and investors will continue to produce them for those who need them.”
The team has already constructed four machines, and will request permission to install them in other public places in Danang city.
(Media Center)