Is Health Ministry in denial over condoms?
National Party Health spokesman Paul Hutchison says claims in ‘Investigate’ magazine relating to the safety and
efficiency of condoms require urgent scrutiny.
“Most worrying is the claim that people ‘think they’re protected when they’re not’,” says Dr Hutchison.
It has been suggested that the Health Ministry is in denial over a series of Medical Journal articles during the past
five years, which are said to show that even if used properly condoms won’t protect against STDs such as Chlamydia,
herpes, gonorrhoea, syphilis and warts (HPV).
“The traditional view is that condoms do offer at least a degree of protection if used properly. The Ministry of Health
takes this view in its literature as well as its recent ‘hubba, hubba’ campaign.
“The Minister and Ministry must act immediately to ensure the best and most accurate information possible is made
available, so people can make informed decisions on condom use.
“If there are genuine reasons for condom users to be concerned, health officials should make the risks clear without
delay,” says Dr Hutchison.
Ends