Recycled Condoms in Hair-bands

Yes you read that right! Used condoms are being recycled in China to make elastic hair bands. According to health experts, these products can spread STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) even if they are recycled. The bands contain viruses and bacteria and people can get infected with genital diseases and AIDS if they hold the band in their mouth while waving hair into a bun or plaits. There are several manufacturers in China that are recycling used condoms to make these bands that are not only cheap but also long lasting.

Condom recycling is not legal in China. In the last few years, various scandals have come in news about Chinese manufacturers making dangerous and shoddy goods for domestic as well as international markets. The finished product is sold in packets of ten. Approximately 1,000 used condoms are required to manufacture 100 packets. But the big question is – where do these condoms come from and who collects it? Defective condoms in bulk are collected from manufacturers and repurposed for making cheap hair bands. These products can be easily found in markets and beauty salons in Guangzhou and Dongguan cities.

One packet of elastic hair band includes 10 hair ties and it costs 3 cents (25 fen) at the local Chinese market. It all started with a news report that emerged in November 2007 about manufacturers recycling condoms to make hair bands. According to reports, a young woman living in Dongguan city cut a band in order to investigate what it was made of.

Overhaul of World’s bloated Health Care System

Recent health studies have documented that fact that the chasm between the provision of health care services in rich and poor countries is getting deeper. As compared to developed countries, the inequality in access to initial child care services has increased the fatality rates in developing nations. If experts are to be believed, the chances of a newborn’s death in countries like India and Zimbabwe before the age of five is 30 times more as compared to the chances of newborn deaths in France or Sweden.

With infant mortality increasing at an alarming rate, countries across the world need to ensure the access of affordable and quality maternal care to women from the poor section. The rate of maternal deaths during childbirth is one of the highest in India. It accounts for almost one fourth of the global rate. The present condition demands public as well as private companies involved in health care services to ensure that the mortality and fertility rates remain in check. Lifespring Hospitals in Hyderabd, India has taken a similar initiative, trying to address the health needs of lower income families. The hospital works on an innovative and affordable model where normal deliveries cost only 2000 Indian rupees (45-50$) as compared to 12,000 rupees (250$) in private hospitals. This cost includes medicines and a two day stay in the hospital.

This hospital was started as a joint venture between Acumen Fund (New York based private social investor) and HLL Lifecare (public sector contraceptive manufacturer). The main aim was to serve approximately 10,000 patients per year. That’s not all, besides the provision of quality maternal health care at a low rates, Lifespring is also involved in profit making. Clinical procedures and kits have been standardized to save money, auxiliary nurse wives have been offered employment, fees for OPD is very less and these hospitals are mostly located near slum areas. By 2012, 30 such hospitals will be set up across the country for pediatric and obstetric care.