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The Gauteng health department has reported a shortage of condoms in all five of its districts.
On Tuesday, in a written reply to legislature, Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said contract RT75 of condom suppliers hadn't had stock to deliver to the province since the inception of the new contract in February last year.
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 to 49) were HIV positive.
Nkomo-Ralehoko said there was a shortage of both male and female condoms.
She said:
She added that orders had been made and delivery of condoms had begun in August last year.
"This is ongoing in all five districts and suppliers who have completed deliveries of their annual allocated stock still have excess stock mandated to continue with deliveries," she said.
READ: Women and girls burdened by lack of contraceptives
Gauteng Shadow Health MEC Jack Bloom said that, in the last five years, there were 189 million male condoms and 7.3 million female condoms distributed in the province.
He said:
Bloom added that, since the high point of condom distribution in 2017/18, there had been a downward trend in the number of condoms distributed. He said that, in 2021/22, only 129 million male condoms and 5.2 million female condoms had been distributed, which showed a 45% decline.
"We need to get the basics right in healthcare in the province, which includes proper contract management so that reliable and cost-effective suppliers are always chosen, rather than companies that don't deliver," he said.
