Condom shortage looms

A CRITICAL shortage of free condoms is looming in Mashonaland West, with only 31 boxes left for the whole province, amid reports that the effective distribution of the protective sheath was lacking in the country.

The development has raised concern among healthcare workers and pressure groups who fear that this could reverse gains made in the fight against the spread of HIV, while increasing the chances of unplanned pregnancies.

National Pharmaceutical Company provincial manager for Mashonaland West Mr Mark Ncube recently revealed at a Second Quarter Review meeting held in Chinhoyi that the province was left with 31 boxes of condoms.

“We have at least 31 boxes of condoms in stock, whereas unconfirmed figures of contraceptive pills also indicate that they are in short supply,” he said.

Mr Ncube allayed fears expressed by some pressure groups like Pamuhacha over the shortage of condoms.

“We are quite positive that our province will soon be restocked, he said.

“We receive our stocks at the beginning of every quarter and looking at it, the second is nearing its end which makes it quite normal to have limited condoms at the current moment.”

According to the Public Sector Acceptability report, Zimbabwe has a significant comprehensive condom programme, in which 110 million male condoms and five million female condoms are sold and distributed annually.

It also emerged during the meeting that some clinics in Mashonaland West have limited stocks of the condoms.

A snap survey at the Makonde Christian Hospital in Mhangura constituency showed that condom distribution was low at health institutions.