Imported problem AIDS the spread of infection in city

This is "imported" problem. The market is suddenly flooded with a surfeit of condoms-all bearing the "imported from Malaysia or USA" label – that are finding many takers, be it the upper middle-class or labourers. What is alarming is that in actual, the condoms are of inferior quality manufactured either in Mumbai or Calcutta.

Non-governmanetal organisations (NGOs)-working on AIDS awareness compaigns-have raised an alarm that these condoms are the easiest way to acquiring HIV infection. However, the State stays supremely unaware, with Health Minister Ashok Bhatt pleading ignorance about the matter.

Easily available-even at pan shops that dot most roadsides-these condoms lure people with indecent photographs as well as the "imported" brand names. With the "made in Malaysia or USA" stamp and prominent display to nude pictures, they are giving prominent Indian brands a run for their money.

Despite the problem mounting with every passing day, government and non-government agencies continue to remain in a state of slumber. This inspite of the fact that several lakhs are spent each year to tackle the AIDS menace.

A large number of activists and media persons from India had, at the last International AIDS conference held in Durban in July, expressed grave concern over easy availability of such dubious condoms. But Ashok Bhatt said, "I have not heard about the matter yet, but will instruct officials in the Drug Control department to initiate an inquiry." However, he promises action. "I will look into the matter personally and initiate action against the seller under drug control Acts," he said.

However, officials of latex product companies that manufacture condoms have condemned the State Government as well NGOs for "keeping their eyes shut even such sales mount and pose a major HIV infection threat to users."

"More than 90 per cent of such "foreign" condoms are manufactured in Mumbai and Calcutta by small-time manufacturers, who then package them with pictures and names to lure customers," Bipin Seth of TTK Health Care Ltd, a leading name in the Indian condom industry, said.

According to Seth, nine out of 10 such condoms are "not found up to the mark when subjected to laboratory tests." "Forget about international standards, these do not comply with any and during tests many of them leaked. They do not match the standard measurement of thickness and quality of latex used," he added.

Another official of a multi-national latex company agreed, saying, "Even though we have tried to draw the Government ‘s attention to this menace several times, there has been no action." He also accused NGOs of neglecting the problem. "They are distributing free condoms to prostitutes and other people, but never bother to raise the issue of the quality of condoms sold in the retail market," the official, who looks after Research and Development for his company, said.

However, Dr. Radium Bhattacharya of Gujarat AIDS Prevention And Awareness disagreed. "Even though we have noticed that such condoms are being sold through some retail outlets in the city, we do not think the situation is alarming. Reason being that most users prefer to buy branded condoms." But she admitted that a number of upper middle-class youth opt for these condoms. "It is not that migrant labourers or people from lower middle-class use these dubious products. It is the ‘upper-class’ people who are turning to them," she added. Her group is considering a project on the same, she said.

According to a senior official of the State Health Department, "It is very difficult to initiate action against people selling such products."

The reason he offered was truly astounding. "They are small-time businessmen and on ‘huminitarian grounds’ we are not conducting any raids on their business establishments," he said.

With an attitude like that , is it any surprise that the number of HIV positive cases is on the rise?

Republished from Indian Express