Condom Shortage Could Trigger AIDS in Indian Brothels

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Chronic Condom Shortage Could Trigger AIDS in Indian Brothels "

Deutsche Presse-Agentur (08.04.02)

Indian brothels are grappling with a severe shortage of

condoms that could spread AIDS and other STDs to clients,

according to a non-governmental organization working with sex

workers. In a letter to the federal Health Ministry, Indian

Prostitutes Salvation Association President Kharaiti Lal Bhola

said most of the nearly 2.3 million sex workers have various

communicable diseases and many of them have HIV. Despite a

federal government directive issued in 1997 to maintain a supply

of condoms, the issue has been neglected and as a result AIDS

cases are on the increase, Bhola said. In Delhi alone about 450

boxes are needed monthly, but the red-light areas get only 10 to

12 boxes on average, Bhola said. Each box contains between 4,000

to 6,000 condoms.

Source: CDC Daily Summaries 8/7/02

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