MEC to ease condom shortage
JOBURG – As government aims to strengthen HIV prevention and create easy access to treatment, Gauteng has fallen short of the target number of condoms that were set for this year by nine million.
Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu blamed the suppliers for the shortage of condoms in the first quarter of the 2015/16 financial year, which covers April to June.
Mahlangu said the shortage of condoms was attributed to challenges emanating from the service providers’ failure to meet the required monthly quantities due to fluctuations in the exchange rate.
She said, “We will continue to work tirelessly with the appointed service providers to rectify the situation.”
Mahlangu said about 80 percent of goods and services procured by the department, which include surgical gloves, bandages and condoms, were imported.
“In an effort to remedy dramatic fluctuations in exchange rates, which sometimes lead to a rand depreciation, local companies should show that they are capacitated to produce the said products, including condoms in South Africa. We are convinced this will alleviate this unnecessary pressure, [as] adequate distribution of condoms will always play a pivotal role in the prevention of HIV/Aids,” she said.
Meanwhile, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health Jack Bloom said that instead of the 58 million condoms distributed in the first quarter of the 2015/16 financial year, only 42 million were distributed. Bloom said the shortfall last year was 62 million condoms when the target was 193 million and only 131 million were distributed.
Bloom said the shortfall last year was 62 million condoms when the target was 193 million and only 131 million were distributed.
Bloom said, “Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu blamed the shortage on problems with the national condom tender, and said she was looking at proposals to get good quality condoms from other companies.” He said it was disturbing that problems with the national condom tender were hitting supply so badly in Gauteng.
He also said the prevention of HIV/Aids was a top priority, so the condom supply problem should be fixed as soon as possible. “I support MEC Mahlangu in looking for local suppliers who can quickly make up the shortfall,” Bloom said.
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