Three hundred million condoms are distributed among a population of sixty million in Thailand every year. Myanmar has a slightly smaller population, we think. Yet less than one fifth, we think, of this number of condoms is distributed. Why?
Is ten baht a condom too much to pay in a middle income country?
Jamie
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Critics demand more condoms
Bangkok Post
24/07/2013
Health activists have urged the Public Health Ministry to expand its free condom scheme to curb the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
The ministry last week unveiled a plan to purchase large-sized condoms of 54mm under its free-condom scheme to cater for the growing needs of Thai men under the age of 30_many of whom are over 170cm tall and exceed 70kg in weight and who found the 49mm and 52mm condom sizes too small.
However, the number of free condoms will stay capped at 40 million per year.
Health activists backed the idea of providing larger-size condoms, but warned that a more important point is to make free condoms more widely available and to make retail condoms cheaper.
Nimit Tian-udom, of the Aids Access Foundation, said condoms are not widely available and this put the population at risk of contracting HIV and other STDs.
About 270 million condoms are sold nationwide each year, according to Public Health Ministry figures, while the government offers 40 million condoms for free.
The Department of Disease Control (DDC) reported 9,000 new cases of HIV infection last year. The prevalence of STDs has doubled between 2007 and 2011.
According to the department, only 46.9% of Thais use condoms when having sex. This percentage is too low, Mr Nimit said, adding the government's free condom scheme is currently only open to risk groups such as men who have sex with men, sex workers and youths.
"Everyone can be at risk of contracting the HIV virus or other STDs," he said.
All sexually active men should be given 10 free condoms a month, he suggested.
Supatra Nakapew, from the Foundation for Aids Rights, agreed the availability of free condoms does not meet real needs.
"Condoms are a basic right that people should obtain for their good health," Ms Supatra said.
The government should provide more free condoms to the public, or at least make them cheaper, Ms Supatra said.
A three-pack costs at least 30 baht, or about 10% of the 300-baht minimum wage, she said.
Most of the condoms sold here are locally made, so the price should be cut, she added.
In the past, former Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) managing director Witit Artavatkun discussed the matter with health activists and agreed the GPO could produce condoms and sell them for just 2 baht a piece.
Dr Witit, however, was fired in May over alleged negligence that caused damage to the organisation.
The ex-GPO boss is now asking the Administrative Court to look into his dismissal.
The success of a cheaper condom policy will depend on the vision of the new GPO chief, Ms Supatra said.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/361216/critics-demand-more-condoms
