South Africa Recalls Millions of Defective Condoms

South Africa is known to be a trouble spot for HIV/AIDS and non-profits and the government have helped with the problem by providing condoms. Now the South African government is recalling nearly 1.35 millions condoms that were given out at a African National Congress celebration in early January after users contacted officials in a panic. They claim the condoms were broken.

AIDS activist Sello Mokhalipi of the Treatment Action Campaign performed unofficial tests on the condoms himself.

“We poured water into the condoms and they were leaking, not just in one place, they were leaking like a sieve,” he said. Looking at them, “you can see there are small pores.” He said the health department had distributed a new batch of condoms last week, which did not leak under the water test. Health department spokesman [Jabu] Mbalula said pouring water into a condom and applying pressure was not a proper test, though Mokhalipi denied applying pressure. — Washington Post

This is not the first time condoms have been recalled in South Africa. Between 2007 and 2008, the country also recalled millions of condoms. Many are worried this will affect people’s willingness to take advantage of free condoms.