Gauteng is facing a shortage of condoms, in all five health districts. This was revealed by Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in a written reply to the DA's Jack Bloom's question at the Gauteng legislature. The shortage is apparently because the service provider appointed last year did not have stock to deliver.  

A DECLINE IN DISTRIBUTION 

According to Nkomo-Ralehoko, 189 million male condoms and 7.3 million female condoms were distributed in Gauteng five years ago, but this has 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 5 million female condoms. In her response, MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko said: "Contract RT75_condom suppliers didn't have stock to deliver to Province from the inception of the new contract in February 2022 as suppliers were awaiting SABS sample approval prior to ordering bulk stock from the manufacturers," Nkomo-Ralehoko said.

INCREASE IN STIs 

Condoms are a preventative measure and the less the availability, the more people are prone to contracting sexually transmitted diseases. Nkomo-Ralehoko added that the shortage has led to an increase in sexually transmitted diseases. "This includes male urethritis syndrome (STI) which increased from 5486 in February 2022 to 6035 in February this year." Bloom said, "It is disgraceful that a common item like condoms is in short supply in Gauteng. They have a vital role to play in family planning as well as prevention of HIV/Aids and other STIs," adding that, "We need to get the basics right in healthcare in Gauteng. This includes proper contract management so that reliable and cost- effective suppliers are always chosen, rather than companies that don't deliver."