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Oil pipeline helps spread of HIV

    JOHANNESBURG

    The construction of an oil pipeline route between Cameroon and Chad has created conditions for the spread of HIV/AIDS, the Los Angeles Times report on Wednesday.

    Inadequate health care and an increase in migration and prostitution has accompanied the US $3.7 billion pipeline route to connect the Chadian oil fields of ExxonMobil, ChevronTexaco and Petronas with Cameroon's Atlantic coast.

    Bill Jobin, a health consultant hired to analyse the pipeline's likely impact, said HIV/AIDS was the "hottest health issue of the project".

    However, ExxonMobil has called the cost of a workplace HIV/AIDS programme "prohibitive", despite Jobin urging the company to treat HIV-positive employees.

    Jobin said HIV could spread further into surrounding areas with construction nearing completion and HIV-positive truck drivers, workers and sex workers returning to their countries of origin.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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