Return to safe sex
Pini Bothoko | Tuesday February 1, 2022 06:00
This follows the Health and Wellness ministry securing 1.3 million condoms for distribution across the country. The COVID-19 pandemic caused critical condom shortages across the globe due to erratic supplies from major manufacturers who had to contend with travel restrictions and lockdowns.
Just like other countries, Botswana has not sparred something that resulted in product distribution disturbances and the gravely worrying information that there is an acute shortage of condoms in public health facilities.
Quizzed about the persistent public outcry on condom shortages in public health facilities, the Ministry of Health and Wellness spokesperson, Christopher Nyanga assured the public not to lose sleep over the shortage after the arrival of the sheaths from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). “The ministry received 1.3 million condoms on December 23, 2021, from USAID. The consignment was part of an 18 million condom donation promised by USAID, which is being delivered in batches.
Moreover, although at some cost, the private sector has also helped augment the national supply of condoms,” he said. Across social media platforms, members of the public pleaded for the government’s urgent attention in the matter as condoms are no longer readily available at distribution points. They further feared HIV/AIDS infections might have sparked since the festive season when the shortage was highest in the country.
Nyanga said the ministry acknowledges the condom shortage adding that the situation is now being addressed. “Over and above this, the next batch of the 18 million condom donations from USAID is expected to be delivered in the country in March 2022," he said. Asked about a six-month waiver for branded condoms of which deliveries were expected from January 2022, Nyanga said the ministry has not yet received any stock from its procured condoms. He stated that the tender is at an advanced stage and the first delivery is expected from the last week of February 2022. "It is important to note that despite the inconsistency of condom supplies in public health facilities in recent weeks, the private market has been available to those who can buy, which helps augment the national supply of condoms,” Nyanga said.
Moreover, Nyanga said no survey has been conducted to determine if there has been an increase in HIV and STI infections in recent weeks arising from the inadequate supply of condoms in public health facilities. He stated that the ministry cannot substantiate allegations that HIV/AIDS infections might have increased due to condom shortages, especially during the festive season.