Posted on 12/24/2004 5:35:26 PM PST by NYC GOP Chick
KAMPALA (Reuters) - AIDS (news - web sites)-aware Ugandans, who use about 250,000 condoms a day, face a shortage of the product after the government introduced new condom tests likely to cut supply over the festive season, the Health Ministry on Friday.
The Ministry withdrew Engabu, a local popular brand that was emitting a bad smell, after the World Health Organization (news - web sites) found its quality deteriorated.
"We are going to face six months of limited supply," said Vastha Kibirige, a condom coordinator with the Health Ministry.
"We fear that in the meantime some people might have unprotected sex."
The National Drug Authority (NDA) tried to allay fears of a shortage during the festive season, a period over which it said demand for condoms doubles.
"I can show you documentary evidence to prove that over 80 million condoms will be arriving in the country soon on the order of the government. Actually 10 million are already here," said Deus Mubangizi, NDA's acting executive secretary.
The United Nations (news - web sites) says 25 million of the 38 million people worldwide with AIDS are in sub-Saharan Africa. AIDS killed up to 2.2 million Africans last year, while some 3 million contracted the HIV virus (news - web sites).
Uganda was once seen as the epicenter of the virus but the country has carried out an energetic information campaign that has helped bring down HIV (news - web sites) infection rates to about 6 percent from more than 30 percent in the early 1990s.
Still, the east African country has an estimated 1.2 million people who carry the HIV virus.
Among its hardest hit are populations in remote war-torn northern Uganda, where Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels have waged a brutal insurgency for 18 years against the government of President Yoweri Museveni.
The Ugandan government in June began distributing free ARVs to about 3,000 HIV/AIDS sufferers.
I'm having one of those can't do anything right days.
You poor thing! ;D
I know the feeling!
I have to go put little bit to bed and stuff stockings. BBL (I am so sick I can't stand it. I feel like someone set a fire in my ribcage.)
Feel better, so that you can enjoy your "special" birthday present! ;D
ROTFLMAO -I can't get past the headline...
Damn, I was too busy feeding everyone, and making sure the decorations were up, and buying all the presents.
I forgot the condoms!
CONDOMS? ALL I want to do this holiday season is eat turkey, and sleep!!!!
Must be different in Uganda.
Maybe I should move to Uganda.
Mr Okie takes good care of me. Thanks for the good wishes, though!
Yes, it's key to have a good man who can take of you. :D
Balmer's gonna eat crow on Sunday, but you get the idea.
"We fear that in the meantime some people might have unprotected sex."
So that's why the AIDs rate is so low in Africa, they are very careful about using condoms when sleeping around.
And Merry X-mas to you....St. Nick just showed up to deliver presents, only one requiring assembly.
...who use about 250,000 condoms a day...
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More "clothing bananas" articles?
Why does the well never run dry for you?
Why does the well never run dry for you?
Nope! And I'm not telling you my secret! ;D
Oh, and Merry Christmas to you, the Mrs. and the kids. :)
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