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Most Motels Offer Free Condoms
To Customers, Survey Found
Motels and massage parlours that
do not hand free condoms will be
subject to sanctions under Ley
7771 that attempts to prevent
the spreading of HIV/AIDS,
according to health officials.
The law goes further than just
free condoms, it also imposes
prison time for public officials
who discriminate against those
infected with the HIV virus
and/or AIDS.
Franciso Cubillo, vice- minister
of health services, said that
motel owners are obligated to
hand out or make condoms
available in the room for use by
their customers. Cubillo added
that motel operators can be
charged for failing to meet the
requirement of the legislation
and the Áreas de Salud del
Ministerio will investigate all
complaints anywhere in the
country.
In a check by INSIDECOSTARICA of
several motels and massage
parlours, we found that they all
complied with the law. At the
Motel del Edén, management says
they leave a three condom
package in every room. Manager
Marcos Obando said that the Caja
Costarricense de Seguro Social (Caja)
gives them nothing, contrary to
the reports, and they include
the prophylactics as part of
their pricing. Some motels only
offer condoms to their customers
who ask for them.
Massage parlours hand out
condoms to the women who work
there. Since the massage
parlours are offering sexual
services, they are not obligated
to hand out condoms to customers
said a manager of one downtown
massage parlour who asked not to
be identified nor the name of
the massage parlour. "We hand
out condoms to the girls. What
the girl and the customer does
in the private room is between
them", said the unnamed manager.
The Ministerio de Salud (Health
Ministry) launched and agressive
publicity campaign last week to
reduce the HIV virus from
spreading. Salud officials say
that free condoms are available
at all state hospitals and
clinics, all one has to do is
ask for them.
According to health officials,
there currently 11.000 carriers
of HIV positive while only 2.000
are receiving treatment.
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