| For almost 20 years, Thailand has been the focus | | | | Uganda.Sub-Saharan Africa is the most heavily |
| of an intensive effort to stop the spread of HIV | | | | infected area in the world. An estimated 25.8 |
| Aids among the population of approximately 65 | | | | million people had been infected by HIV at the end |
| million.A survey in 1988 found that 44% of sex | | | | of 2005 and approximately 3.1 million new |
| workers in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand were | | | | infections occurred during last year.Apart from |
| already infected with HIV. But it was not until | | | | abstaining from sexual contact altogether, the use |
| 1991 that the government got serious in its | | | | of condoms is the only effective means to help |
| efforts to curb the spread of the | | | | prevent the spread of HIV/Aids and other |
| infection.Eventually greatly increased budgets led | | | | sexually transmitted diseases.Donation of |
| to a massive public information campaign on the | | | | condoms condemned by Nigerian ArchbishopIn an |
| dangers of AIDS. The government also introduced | | | | announcement that underscores the debate |
| a "100 percent condom program" in which | | | | taking place in many countries over tactics being |
| condoms were distributed free to brothels and | | | | used to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS, a leading |
| massage parlours, and sex workers were | | | | Thai Catholic Archbishop voiced strong opposition |
| required to use them. Brothels that did not | | | | to ongoing distribution of condoms.In spite of its |
| comply were closed.As a result of these and | | | | endorsement by the U.N. the condom donation |
| other programs, the number of new HIV | | | | annouced by the Thai government has been |
| infections was reduced from 140,000 in 1991 to | | | | vigorously condemned by Nigerian Archbishop |
| 21,000 in 2003. Still, 1% of the 65 million people in | | | | Anthony Cardinal Okogie. He described the move |
| Thailand are infected with HIV, and AIDS has | | | | as immoral and quite likely to promote |
| become the leading cause of death.It is projected | | | | irresponsible sex and promiscuity.In a press |
| that more than 50,000 Thais will die each year | | | | release he said, "Do they know the effect of the |
| from Aids-related causes, at least until the end of | | | | production to the youths and the nation? The |
| 2006. More than 90% of these deaths will be | | | | government should fight poverty, hunger, |
| young people aged 20-44.So although a concerted | | | | sicknesses, diseases, and the lack of social |
| effort has been made to stem the tide of HIV | | | | amenities plaguing the nation, instead of fighting |
| infection in Thailand, the success rate has only | | | | AIDS with condom production," he stated.He also |
| been moderate. And little has been done to stop | | | | opposed any NACA (National Action Committee |
| infection amongst injecting drug users (IDUs) who | | | | on Aids) Bill before the Nigerian National Assembly |
| share needles.Most new infections still start with | | | | that included manufacturing of condoms in Nigeria, |
| sex trade workers or IDUs and within two years | | | | saying; "it will encourage immorality, sex on |
| are passed on to spouses.Thailand to donate | | | | demand, promiscuity, irresponsibility and |
| 50,000 condoms to AfricaIn a move consistent | | | | prostitution. Condom, knowingly and intentionally, |
| with their own moderate success at fighting HIV | | | | offends the ends of marriage, which is |
| AIDS with condoms, the Thai government | | | | procreation and says no to the bearing of children |
| announced they were donating 50,000 condoms | | | | but promiscuity."It is unfortunate that while other |
| to seven African countries as part of their | | | | embassies are promoting trade, bilateral relations, |
| "forward engagement" program to help with the | | | | we are encouraging cheap money and cheap |
| UN effort to fight HIV/Aids in Africa.The condoms | | | | production of condoms to encourage our youths |
| will be provided by Thailand's foreign and health | | | | on immorality."Rick Hendershot publishes Linknet |
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| Development Programme to Burkina Faso, Ghana, | | | | articles and blog posts.Visit the #1 Online Condom |
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