By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GettyImages.
The Department of Health in Gauteng has confirmed that the province is experiencing a drastic shortage of both male and female condoms.
MEC Nomantu Mkomo-Ralehoko said in a written reply to DA’s health shadow minister Jack Bloom questions asked in the legislature.
She explained the shortage by saying the supplier didn’t have stock to deliver at the beginning of a new contract in February 2022.
“The suppliers were awaiting South African Bureau of Standards sample approval prior to ordering bulk stock from the manufacturers. There are shortages in all five districts i.e. Johannesburg health district, Ekurhuleni District, Tshwane District, Sedibeng District, and West Rand District,” said Mkomo-Ralehoko.
Mkomo-Ralehoko said orders were placed and delivery of condoms started in August 2022 and is ongoing in all five districts.
“Suppliers who have completed deliveries of their annual allocated stock but still have excess stock mandated to continue with deliveries.”
Mkomo-Ralehoko said this led to an increase in sexually transmitted diseases.
According to Stats SA’s 2022 mid-year report, the number of people living with HIV increased from an estimated 3.68 million in 2002 to 8.45 million last year. The report stated that almost a fourth of South African women in their reproductive ages (15-49) were HIV positive.
Nkomo-Ralehoko said there was a shortage of both male and female condoms.
Bloom said in the last five years there were 189 million male condoms and 7.3 million female condoms that were distributed in the province.
He said, the figures are from the reply by the MEC and they have fallen drastically with only 14.7 million male condoms and 1.2 million female condoms distributed from January to March this year. This amounts to an annual total of 58.8 million male condoms and five million female condoms.
“It is disgraceful that common items like condoms are in short supply in Gauteng. They have a vital role to play in family planning as well as the prevention of HIV/Aids and other STIs, He said.