Cambodia has one of the highest reported adult HIV prevalence rates among countries in Asia and the Pacific region. The HIV epidemic is largely attributed to heterosexual relationships and more specifically the sex trade.
Since September 1994, Crown Agents Singapore has been providing procurement assistance to Population Services International (PSI) Cambodia for the supply of condoms. This started with the Birth Spacing and AIDS Prevention project. Since then we have worked closely with PSI as part of the subsequent Social Marketing of Contraceptives and Support to PSI Cambodia for Social Marketing of Condoms Phase 2 projects. Funding for these projects has been provided by the UK Department for International Development (DFID).
In August 2006, a five-member team from PSI Cambodia visited two condom factories in Thailand to learn about the technicalities of condom production and quality control. The team was organised and accompanied by Crown Agents in Singapore.
Following a tender among a DFID panel of procurement agents in late 2007, Crown Agents was awarded a contract to procure condoms to PSI in Cambodia under the "Cambodia Social Marketing for HIV and Health Project". This project commenced in January 2008, lasts for 5 years and is worth GBP2.56 million.
We procure Number One® and OK® condoms at the most competitive price and ensure that they are produced, tested and inspected to high standards and delivered on schedule.
As part of our contract, we also provided technical expertise to PSI developing specifications based on the latest WHO/UNAIDS guidelines. Our experience ensured that the condom packaging incorporated our client's artwork in a way which was suitable for the supplier's production machinery.
Developing accurate and detailed specifications also assisted in the inspection process to ensure that the condoms complied with international standards and met the client's design requirements. To date, over 291 million condoms have been supplied to PSI.
PSI's social marketing efforts supporting the government's 100% Condom Use Program have been a major contributing factor to Cambodia's reduction in HIV prevalence, a rare success story in the global fight against HIV and AIDS. During the last 10 years, HIV prevalence dropped from a peak of 2 percent in 1998 to an estimated 0.9 percent by 2006 (WHO). Social Marketed condoms are widely available, with condoms reaching 100% of brothels in Phnom Penh, and over 89% in all urban areas (PSI). Access to condoms is also extremely high at entertainment establishments such as beer gardens, where the sex trade is thriving.
For more information please see links under the See Also section.