Indian government turns to private sector to ease condom shortage

ERJ staff report (BC)

Faced with a shortage of condoms in its public health services, the Indian health ministry wants to procure them along with other contraceptives from private manufacturers, reports Chetan Chauhan of the Hindustan Times.

The sole public sector supplier Hindustan Latex Limited (HLL) has been unable to meet demand in high-fertility states such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

There is a concern that gains achieved through reduced fertility could be lost as free distribution of condoms via health centres dries up.

The health ministry has proposed regulatory amendments that will enable it to procure condoms from the private sector by tender, while endeavouring to prevent cartelisation.

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Full story from the Hindustan Times